A biography of Polish modernist writer Władysław Orkan (real name: Franciszek Ksawer Smaciarz, later Smreczyński) intertwined with the story of Franciszek Rakoczy, the main character in one of his novels. Equally embittered by heartbreak, poverty and failed attempts to make the world a better place, the two characters eventually meet.
While in Switzerland, Władysław Orkan admires the wealth, order and cleanliness of the country's Alpine towns and villages. The huge gap between what he sees and his hometown of Poręba is reflected in the words of his friend and companion Stanisław, son of Amelia. It would take more than a few generations to achieve such level of prosperity. After returning home, Władysław finds it even more difficult to come to terms with the poverty of the Polish countryside. The writer comes up with an idea for a novel and shares it with his fiancé Marta. The novel is set in the small, isolated village of Gorce. It is ruled with a heavy hand by village head Suchaj, who enjoys unofficial backing of the rich farmers. The poor ones find their representative in Franek Rakoczy, which results in a conflict with Suchaj. As an idealist, Franek wants to organise a free, fair election of a new village head in which all inhabitants of the village would be able to vote. He is also in love with Suchaj's daughter Hanka. Unfortunately, the village head decides to marry her off to a rich miller's son. Meanwhile, Orkan meets Amelia in a coffeehouse. The writer's relation with the woman, who is both his lover and patron, destroys his relationship with the sensitive Marta. Dramatic events unfold simultaneously in Orkan and Rakoczy's lives: the priest publishes the banns and Hanka's marriage with the miller's son is thus confirmed; the novel fails to attract interest and will not be reissued. The drunk writer and the character he created meet at last.
Excerpt from the movie
