Nikolay Prokofyev

1940s Arctic, a new boss arrives to build a port. They are waiting for him impatiently, they greet him with joy, but the one who arrives is not the one they were expecting. He begins his acquaintance sternly: "Less chatter, we must get down to business!" - proclaims the new government.

The builders of the metallurgical plant and the new city of Nowa Huta were invited to appear on television in the “Yesterday – Today” program to tell how it all began. So, having arrived at the great construction site of socialism, in a village called Mogila, the builders were greeted by “clay, dirt and dog housing on wet ground.” It was a difficult time. But years passed, the plant was built, a new exemplary socialist city of metallurgists grew...

An alcoholic ex-football player drinks his days away, having failed to come to terms with his sexuality and his real feelings for his football buddy who died after an ambiguous accident. His wife is crucified by her desperation to make him desire her: but he resists the affections of his wife. His reunion with his father—who is dying of cancer—jogs a host of memories and revelations for both father and son.

The characters of the play do not know that tomorrow there will be a war, that many people have only a few days left to live. They enthusiastically fight with the teacher, fall in love, cry and laugh, have fun, fight, mischief and impudence, but they seem to be just children, although - the paradox of that time! - their souls mature and develop much faster than their bodies. And when their friend's father is arrested by slander or mistake, they are ready for the first trials, for the initial lessons of injustice and grief, mutual assistance and mutual understanding. The tragedy that happened in the classroom was a kind of test of readiness for tomorrow's sacrifices and tomorrow's exploits.

Based on the play by A. N. Ostrovsky.