The film follows two student cinematographers who, as the war approaches Moscow, refuse evacuation and instead volunteer as front-line cameramen, capturing both the horrors of war and the heroism of Soviet soldiers. Simultaneously, another storyline unfolds in the US, where, after the premiere of the documentary "Moscow Strikes Back", a member of the Academy Awards selection committee tries to persuade his colleagues to establish a new category for Best Documentary at the upcoming Oscars.

THE FIRST OSCAR