A young man, Kuba, is returning from the army. At home, an image of misery and despair remains: the father is seriously ill, and the mother has become emotionally attached to the man who exploits her and intends to take over the farm. After the death of his father, the young man guards the farm, but his girlfriend leaves him. Unable to bear the atmosphere of envy and resentment, Kuba leaves for the city.

The struggle between poor villagers, who are eager to build a co-operative mill and a cultural centre, and the village wealthy men - the miller and the kulaks - who are desperate to stop the farmers.