A story of a generation which had to abandon its old ways of life and focus on survival. Although set in the dark and tragic era of Stalinism, it features elements of nostalgia and kind-hearted humor.
A small town in the Małopolska region in 1950s. Local shopkeeper Józef Piasecki is beginning to feel the effects of nationalisation of commerce. Categorised as a private operator, he is subject to increasingly frequent inspections and repeatedly fined. He also experiences problems with stocking. At one point, he starts to give up and expresses his disappointment by criticising the new system and listening to foreign radio stations. Józef's mental condition is additionally strained by his conflict with his 17-year-old son Witek. By watching the people's reactions, the boy begins to realise the difficult situation of his family in the face of the ongoing political and economic transformation.
