Augusts Mitrēvics

Oskars lives in a typical sea-side village, but wants to break free of his father’s rule and the old ways – he dreams of new, large nets, an ice-cellar, and the fishermen’s independence from the fish wholesaler. At first, no one wants to believe in Oskars’ plans, except for happy-go-lucky Fredis. With the help of Fredis, Oskars builds a new fish trap, gaining admiration from even the old fishermen.

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.