The Soviet Army makes its triumphant entry into Odessa in 1921 and all foreigners are immediately ordered to leave. This includes a large Greek community who fought alongside the White Russians during the Revolution
They return to Greece. Amongst their number is a young man and woman. They are lovers but the boy’s father lusts after his son’s girlfriend and is determined to marry her himself. The lovers are forced to flee to Salonicco.
The film tells their story against the background of the 1930s in Greece. They marry and have two children, The husband earns a living playing the accordion. Greece is hit by an economic disaster and the couple is forced to separate for what they think will be a short time. It turns out the separation is definitive.
The mother and her children set off on a journey through Greece, a country in the midst of a fascist advance. The second world war breaks out and Greece is invaded. The woman’s sons die fighting one another in the bitter civil war that lacerates this once happy country. The story ends in 1949.