Mariya Stankova

Dona, Lukrecie and Tana - three women of different origins and destinies, whose stories unfold at different times. The tale of the Romany woman Dona begins in the 1960s. The only assets this beautiful and vital woman has are her three children fathered by different men. In order to secure a livelihood for them, she moves in with an older, but disabled man, who turns out to be a pervert. Ten years later, the ambitious Lukrecie is trying to avoid employment in the village. After she becomes pregnant by a prospective suitor, she meets an attractive young man who offers her a life abroad, something she had always dreamed of. Lukrecie resolves her situation in the most appalling way. Tana, the wife of a prosperous businessman, vainly longs to have a child. On the advice of a friend, she goes off to a spa, whose miraculous reputation is attributable to a skillful masseur. Her husband, however, is unmoved by the joyful news.

The father of newborn Ruth dies in a freak accident outside the maternity hospital. The young mother is left to live with her deceased husband's parents. Soon the mother-in-law leaves home, gripped by suspicions and jealousy. After her, the daughter-in-law also leaves. Grandfather and granddaughter remain. He is ill-tempered and gloomy, she is charming and innocent. A difficult combination to raise, educate and live with, so an attempt to place the child in a home follows, but unsuccessful. The grandfather takes her back, like a thief to his own granddaughter. They go to Vidin to look for the mother. She does not expect them and leaves on the ferry for Germany. The grandfather stays in town, finds work and lodgings, and communicates with the girl in a "manly" way. But just then a social worker arrives with a letter from Germany saying that the mother wants her child...