A boy from Leningrad has his world turned upside down by his parent's separation and World War II. He leaves town amidst the fighting and returns to find a friend in his step-brother. The war is seen through the eyes of children and told in flashback form. The film was a special prize winner at the Venice Film Festival.

Киноповесть о судьбах молодых людей, чье вступление в жизнь пришлось на суровые годы Великой Отечественной войны.