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.

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...

In 1802, growing anger among Latvian peasants erupts after changes in taxation, placing an even heavier burden on the peasant population. After a series of meetings, the peasants resolve to use force to free those already arrested. Thousands armed with clubs and scythes rise up, but are driven back by troops and retreat into a nearby forest. As reinforcements arrive, mass arrests and brutal reprisals follow, and the courts sentence some of the rebels to lifelong exile in Siberia.

Nauris lives with his little sister and grandfather Upmalis in a small seaside village. When he discovers that his grandfather and Lazdāns have robbed the local school, Nauris secretly returns the stolen goods, hoping to protect his grandfather. But his attempt to do the right thing makes him the prime suspect.

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".

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...

The Second World War has just ended, but national partisans are still hiding in Latvia's forests and fighting against the Soviet regime. Ansis Leinasars, who has been tasked to spark a coup in Latvia, arrives by night from across the sea, but his work is hampered at every step. His last hope is a meeting with the partisans in a church...