Dolgat and Ismail are friends; they work in 19th century Karachai-Balkaria in wood-industry. Ismail by accident kills brother of Dolgat. He believes that it happens by chance and does not think that his best mate is guilty. But mountain community demands for a vendetta.

The film tells the story of a hard-working and unfruitful life of a peasant from Adjara in the 1930s, who is forced to serve others to avoid starvation and destruction.

A demobilized Red Army soldier from Gogoturi encourages his fellow villagers to join the neighboring agricultural commune. Village representatives claim the superiority of collective farming, but are opposed by rich local peasants. They decide to exterminate their fellow villagers who preach the new cause, but in the mountain where the kulaks gather to plan their evil plans, an avalanche descends and sweeps them into the abyss.

An ethnographic analysis of the small Caucasian Khevurian tribe in Georgia.

Mzago is an adventurous Khevsurian highlander who is fascinated by the radio, embraces changing times and sets off to the big city. Her suitor, Gela, is a less adventurous Khevsurian who decides to follow her.