Timid old woman Pelageya Nilovna observes the revolutionary activities of her son Pavel Vlasov and gradually comes to realize that his cause is a great and noble one. She involves herself in the movement and finds joy and great courage in her new life as a revolutionary. Based on Gorky's novel, filmed in the silent era by Pudovkin.

The movie reminiscence of the Soviet poet Yevgeny Yevtushenko about the military childhood when he one reached the Siberian Winter station where he was waited by the grandmother. The way was unusually long, cold, hungry and angry.

Two middle-aged doctors and longtime friends reunite after a long separation and find themselves in a love triangle. Pyotr, Sasha, and Katya feel that life has passed them by. They seek spiritual salvation in a cruel modern world.