Set in a new mining town in the Donets Coal Basin, it centres on a clash between the young miners, the political establishment, and a religious cult lead by a devious Pentecostal evangelist infiltrated into the community who tries to make the workers fall under his influence.

A gem from Paradjanov's early oeuvre is a musical agitation film or a romantic comedy, made by the young director under the guidance of Alexander Dovzhenko and set in the immense fields of the collectivised Ukraine. The social realism is replaced by colourful, convivial and dancing shots of the “Pabieda” (Victory) kolkhoz, where peasant women sing in the fields, and boys march with banners glorifying revolution. Against this backdrop, intense romantic feelings have reached a climactic stage; tailor Sidor Sidorovich, farmer Jushka and soldier Danila Petrovich all dote on the fair-haired Odarka. It is Jushka and Danila who engage in overt hostility; the initial “gentlemen’s” contest turns into an outright confrontation, resulting in miserable Jushka being increasingly more desperate and scorned by the villagers.

1942 Wounded, bleeding, but defiant Sevastopol is subjected to continuous bombing and artillery shelling. It was at this time that, by Hitler's personal order, a giant experimental cannon was delivered to the Bakhchisarai area. An experienced scout Kozhukhar is instructed to contact a group of young underground fighters in Alupka through the partisans and use them to locate the artillery installation. Classified weapons are carefully guarded. The patriots decide to take an exceptionally bold step: at night, they descend along a steep cliff to Bakhchisarai and take the "tongue"...