XIX century. The village of Dymka in Bukovina. The wealthy peasant Ivonic and his wife Maria have two sons - Mykhailo and Sava. Mykhailo has fallen in love with Anna, and is afraid to confess to his parents because it is not known how they will react. Sava fell in love with Rahira, who has a bad reputation in the village. She incites Sava's hatred towards his older brother Mykhailo, because he should get a better land.