One of the passengers on a ship carrying Poles on a cruise in December 1981 is a dissident high school teacher sent abroad by Solidarity. He is under surveillance of the secret police, anxious to get their hands on the info that he is carrying. When the ship is in the middle of the Baltic sea, martial law is declared and the ship is militarized. The captain announces he will turn and return the home port. Many anguished passengers put the life vests on and jump into the sea, where they are picked up by two German ships. The teacher, however, decides to return to Poland and continue the struggle for freedom.

The early 1980s. A former entertainment industry star is now selling leather goods. One day, he watches a TV interview with a department store employee who smelled gas leaking and prevented a tragedy in time. This gives him an idea. With the support of his journalist friend Lutek Danielak, he begins to organize a series of meetings with the "hero of the year" across the country. He hopes that this will help him make a comeback in the industry. The meetings gain momentum. Lutek accepts the offer to host the final "Miss Polonia" contest.