Two men from very different worlds have lived their entire life under the Soviet regime, and now struggle to adapt to the new social and political realities of their country. Yet life goes on, for better or worse. With force and conviction, both decide to throw themselves fully into painting – their own path to happiness and fulfillment. Tree with Severed Branches listens attentively to these two elders, and through them paints a portrait of a society at a loss for what to do with its seniors. How is the Communist-era populace managing to survive when their country’s values have been completely denatured? In corruption-riddled Russia, art is a veritable lifeline for these cast-offs.