A chronicle of the life of an illiterate Russian peasant woman between 1909 and 1921, focusing on her private life and major historic events in the country.
Based on A. Galych's play "Matrosskaya Tishina", "Papa" tells a story of a Jewish father who dreamed of seeing his son perform on a stage in front of huge audiences, he dreamed of seeing him as the greatest violinist of his time. To achieve the goal he taught his son Dodik how to play the violin from the yearly age. When Dodik grew up he left the small town he and his father lived in to study in the Moscow Conservatory leaving his past behind. But one day he has to choose either to loose his father or everything he has achieved.
Ihor is a famous photographer whose works are published in a number of magazines and presented at international exhibitions. In the cycle of affairs and trips, he meets a girl. The image of Lera, her beauty and mystery awaken in him both romantic feelings and the creative interest of the photo artist - they inspire him to create a series of beautiful photographs of his beloved. A fast-paced novel brings confusion into the hero's life and puts him in front of a choice: a new unexpected relationship or a proposed multi-month business trip to America, which causes envy among colleagues. Somehow, while completing the documents, Igor accidentally notices on the bulletin board a photo robot of a dangerous criminal who resembles Lera. Getting confused in comparisons, facts and doubts, he tries to find the truth. The struggle between love and the realization of the bitter truth ends tragically.
Young spouses go on a boat on a honeymoon. A fire occurs along the way - and in front of the eyes of the young wife, a burning beam falls on Matvey. Time passes, Natasha marries Stepan, who saved her that tragic night. But one day, they accidentally learn that Matvey is alive. Stepan decides to find him and leaves Moscow ...
