Véronique is a beautiful young French woman who aspires to be a renowned singer; Weronika lives in Poland, has a similar career goal and looks identical to Véronique, though the two are not related. The film follows both women as they contend with the ups and downs of their individual lives, with Véronique embarking on an unusual romance with Alexandre Fabbri, a puppeteer who may be able to help her with her existential issues.

The Republic of Poland of the 16th century. During the period of religious tolerance, the Sieniawski and Bielecki families compete with each other.

Lavish romantic melodrama, obsessively concerned with sex. Maryska's husband is off to war. He soon is reported missing, and she does not protest much when is seduced by the husband's friend, a seedy professor with sickly wife and other mistresses on the side. However, the love of Maryska's life turns out to be a shy 17-year old, son of friends with whom she goes to stay.

The eponymous Zygfryd is a reclusive young circus acrobat. Professor Drawicz is overwhelmed by Zygfryd's circus act and tries to make the world of art accessible to him - with tragic consequences.