Aleksandr Novikov

Living together in a workers' dorm, Katerina and her friends are determined to make it in Moscow. But when a boorish cameraman forces himself on her, Katerina finds herself pregnant and alone as her friends move on. Twenty years later, Katerina is a factory director, outpacing her old roommates career-wise, yet still alone but for her daughter. Love seems possible again when she meets a genial mechanic.

Afonya Borshev is a plumber who drinks a lot, flirts a lot and doesn't care too much about tomorrow. His wife left him, his boss placed him on probation, his whole life is falling apart, but he doesn't realize it. When Afonya met Katya at a dance club he didn't pay her much attention, yet she may be the only one who can help him.

The action takes place during the years of the Civil War in the Urals. It is difficult for the young woman Nadia Korneeva to make sense of the events unfolding around her. Having endured much grief and gone through numerous trials, she decides to join a Red Guard unit.

Petrov, a young doctor working in Saransk, is summoned to a Mordovian village to assist in a surgery. Despite initial hostility from the local doctor, new acquaintances prompt Petrov to reconsider his life.