Russia 1904. Dr. Ragin runs a provincial mental hospital and whiles away his lonely evenings by reading medical literature. A new report by Viennese psychiatrist Himmelsdorf inspires the Russian doctor in his job: Insane can be healed if they are being taken seriously by their "illusion". Ragin tries out these theories that are being considered as offending ami finds himself floating closer and closer towards the world of the "crazy".

Based a novel by Anton Chekhov.