The action takes place in the early `90s in a small provincial Russian town, where life seems to have come to a standstill. The main character is an officer working in the executioner's department of the police. In other words, he carries out death sentences. The duty of the executioner's is part of his joyless daily routine, with its constant, weary squabbling wife, money shortage, drab environment, drunken neighbours and his son's grave illness. He saves whatever he can for the operation his son needs. For the boy's sake the executioner continues his cheerless duties. However, it is precisely this frail boy, dreaming of flying a kite with his father, that is the meaning and the hope of his life.

"Muradov and co-writer Yuri Solodov found the story for The Kite in a newspaper article. They were attracted by the events, but riled by the irreverence with which they were reported; the film seeks to right this wrong by telling the tale of the executioner with compassion and respect. It looks with sympathy at a man who carries a load that exceeds his strength, the forces of fate and free choice gracefully balanced."
Dimitri Eipides