The action takes place in a town near the Volga, in pre-Revolutionary Russia. The young wife of a merchant falls in love with Artiom, a handsome Georgian, and dreams of leaving with him. The jealous husband pays a thug to kill Artiom. Miraculously, a Jewish sabot-maker, Cain, finds Artiom wounded but alive. During his convalescence, Artiom listens attentively to the conversations of revolutionaries who meet at Cain's house. Artiom finally finds a friend who can understand him.
