Spring of 1794, Poland is in a state of unrest. General Tadeusz ‘Kos’ Kościuszko returns to the country, planning to ignite an uprising against the Russians by mobilising Polish gentry and peasants. He is accompanied by his faithful friend and former slave, Domingo. Kościuszko is being tracked down by a merciless Russian cavalry captain, Dunin, who wants to do whatever it takes to capture the general before he starts a national revolt.

Obese 12-year-old Wojtek is ashamed of himself and his mother, who runs a rundown grocery. On a bad hair day, the boy rebels against his mother, but instead of making her change, he humiliates her.