The dramatic chronicle of the Meshchersky family is a story about the post-revolutionary life of three representatives of the Russian intelligent family, the history of which reflected the fate of the whole generation. Life on the estate, holidays, youthful hobbies - and after the hell of a civil war, the bitterness of emigration. They held on and knew how to hide their confusion. But the pain destroyed the soul, manifesting itself in short novels that did not bring happiness and unfulfilled hopes ...

Having entered the institute, the hero of the film, along with his new comrades, goes to the village "for potatoes". A month spent in the "open air" not only fills the life of a spoiled urban youth with interesting acquaintances and impressions, but also gives him his first love.