Antons Stankevičs

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.

End of the Spanish Civil War. Republicans retreat across the Pyrenees to France. A Latvian soldier, Zorzs, and a French nurse, Iveta, accidentally meet.