A story about the fate of post-war Polish villages. Szymon Pietruszka's life is dominated by Michał, his older brother, who left for the city before the war. There, he became involved in the leftist movement. He returned to his home village after the war in a dignitary's car. Soon, however, he left again, only to reappear a few years later—this time penniless, mired in apathy, betrayed by his ideals. The only person who guesses Michał's secret is Szymon, who is also unable to break down the wall separating him from his brother.