A small village of Yelan is hidden in the backwoods of Siberia. From time immemorial there have been living and feuding, two families: the rich Solomins and the poor Ustyuzhanins. In 1917, a revolution takes place in Russia. This event drastically changes the lifestyles of many people. Nor does it pass the villagers of Yelan by. But the well-to-do Solomins would not recognize the new power. And against them, Nikolai Ustyuzhanin is a lone warrior. Many years will have to pass before a new generation of the Solomins and the Ustyuzhanins would put an end to this senseless feuding and build a new life on the rich, fertile land of Siberia.

Awards: Special Jury Prize at the Cannes IFF, 1979