At the Old Theater in Krakow Wajda staged a play in 1971, based on Dostoevsky's novel "Demons". In this documentary Wajda tells the story of the unique play that went on uninterrupted for 10 years despite opposition from the authorities.

Joanna and Jan's marriage seems happy. After the birthday party is over, Joanna unwraps the gifts she received. One of them is a videotape with a recording of a regional TV program, during which a historian named Marczak tells about Jan's cooperation with the political police, which began back in the 1950s, by reporting on Joanna's father. At first, Joanna believes in her husband's innocence, but soon becomes suspicious and begins a private investigation.

Rehearsals for Chekhov's Three Sisters are underway in the theater. The team creating the performance is entangled in complicated relationships, they feel pressure. Success or failure no longer depends only on them, but they still try to realize their own ambitions and dreams.

An unemployed English teacher has private lessons with the fiancee of a mysterious American. When the foreigner suddenly disappears, the woman asks the teacher to help her find him.