In this heavyhanded political allegory, set in the plains and mountains of Central Asia, a tribe of people led by the fanatical Mavrut (Vladimir Msrian) wanders about in the most desolate parts of this already desolate region in search of a mythical "Land of Happiness." Their quest is hampered by the fact that they must all live a life which is extremely ascetic. One tribeswoman expresses a desire to have a child, but is rebuked by being reminded that she has vowed never to have worldly ties that would distract her from the quest. When she has a child anyway, she and her lover are made to pay for this crime in a horrific way. Despite that, the child becomes a kind of holy mascot for the group, touted by the leader as a kind of savior. They are distressed when the child goes missing one day, only to appear mysteriously on the opposite side of the rapids of a river, beckoning to them.
Growing up in an orphanage, Florin is trying to find his mother Dorina, whom he has not seen for 15 years. His beloved Liza is very jealous of Florin's plans. Having met his mother, an already adult son is trying to understand the person who gave him life and abandoned him. But can a son forgive his mother, who deprived him of a happy childhood?
Leader of a traveling gypsy band from the steppes of Bessarabia (now Moldova), Toma Alistar is a skilled violinist whose fame takes him on tours around European capitals and royal courts. He remains obsessed with his first love, beautiful Leanca who was married elsewhere while Toma was traveling, and spends his life and fortune trying to find her.
A journalism student Kostika is travelling, by river steamer, to the place of his internship in the village of Lower Lazureny, but by mistake he goes ashore at Upper Lazureny. While Kostika is trying to get out of the village and get to his destination, wonderful adventures happen.
