A film adaptation of a well- known novel by Zofia Nałkowska under the same title. The film script offers a different ending and a much more complex political plot than the original. A sophisticated recreation of a period detail in interior design, costumes and objects of everyday use helps to capture the Zeitgeist.
During a holiday stay in his parent’s manor house, an aspiring journalist Zenon Ziembiewicz starts an affair with the cook’s daughter Justyna. When holidays end, the relationship is brought to a close. Accompanied by Elżbieta, Zenon leaves for Paris to study. Following his return to homeland, Zenon, who now has PhD in political science, becomes a chief editor of a local newspaper. His career blossoms as he is appointed the city’s mayor. Marriage to Elżbieta does not put an end to the affair with Justyna. The girl expects Zenon’s baby. She terminates the pregnancy and sinks into depression. She attempts suicide. Planned by Ziembiewicz, socio-economic reforms fail to progress. Police use brutality to stifle escalating workers’ protests in the city. Justyna barges into Ziembiewicz’s office and shoots him to death. She then jumps out of the window in a bid to kill herself. She gets arrested. Elżbieta pays for Justyna’s legal defence. She and her son leave Poland.
