In 1929, eighteen-year-old Nastya Pakhomova returns to her native village of Berezhki after completing her studies in the city. On her very first day back, fate brings her together with Matvey Lykov, an old acquaintance she has not seen for two years. Mutual feelings instantly flare up between the young people: Matvey falls in love with Nastya at first sight, and the girl’s heart responds in kind. However, their budding love meets fierce resistance from Nastya’s father—the wealthiest peasant in the village. In his opinion, Matvey, who comes from a poor family, is unworthy of his daughter’s hand. Despite the ban, the lovers decide to defy parental will: they plan to leave the village and unite their destinies in marriage. But these hopes are not destined to come true—the sudden death of Matvey’s father shatters all their plans. Overcome with grief, the young man, in his despair, places the blame for what happened on Nastya’s father.
