synopsis: 

The documentary follows the rise and fall of businessman Mikuláš Vareha, who in the 1990s created his own “state within a state” on the periphery of Eastern Slovakia. Through unique archive footage and present-day observation, the film explores the mechanisms of power, populism, and the construction of personal myth in a context of social uncertainty. It also raises the question of why societies repeatedly gravitate towards strong charismatic leaders. After his death, the focus shifts to what remains – the people and environment shaped by his influence.