Luijs Šmits

Latvia in the late 19th century. Edgars, the coachman of Alaine manor, loves Kristine, the washerwoman's daughter, although he is too hot-headed for Kristine's mother to consider him a good suitor for his daughter. Servant Viskrelis and stable boy Sutka try to tempt Edgars to a life of drinking and a relationship with the barmaid Matilde. Meanwhile, Kristine is courted by a rich landowner, Akmentins.

Riga, the 1930s. Oļģerts Kurmis, an educated unemployed, does all kinds of odd jobs. Together with his friend, vagrant Frīdis, they sometimes work for Mr. Kalnkāja who dreams of becoming a member of parliament. Kurmis feels responsible for his neighbour Emma, the young woman has just served a prison sentence for petty theft. He helps her to get a maid's position in the Kalnkāja household. While helping Kurmis and Frīdis with Kalnkāja's election posters, Emma is arrested again, this time for a "political offence".

Valdis Nulle is a young and ambitious captain of fishing ship 'Dzintars'. He has his views on fishing methods but the sea makes its own rules. Kolkhoz authorities are forced to include dubious characters in his crew, for example, former captain Bauze and silent alcoholic Juhans. The young captain lacks experience in working with so many fishermen on board. Unexpectedly, pretty engineer Sabīne is ordered to test a new construction fishing net on Nulle's ship and 'production conflict' between her and the captain arises...

Sergei, an aspiring musician, accidentally meets a deaf-mute girl, Natasha, and falls in love with her. He has to change a lot to prepare himself for a new relationship with a different and very vulnerable person. Natasha is like an alien or an alieness with whom Sergei has to find a completely new language to speak. Natasha tries hard to understand his musical world. The problem is that Natasha lost her hearing during the war and associates sounds with fear and pain. Even a symphony concert is torture for her.

Summer, 1940. Foreseeing the collapse of the Ulmanis regime, the owner of a ship sailing off the coast of Latvia decides to flee the country. Subsequently, the sailors learn about the establishment of Soviet power in their homeland, and the ship changes course...