Set in the 19th century Warsaw. The indolence of aristocrats who, secure with their pensions, are too lazy to undertake new business risks, frustrates Wokulski. His ability to make money is respected but his lack of family and social rank is condescended to. Because of his "help" (in secret) to "the doll's" impecunious but influential father, the girl becomes aware of his affection.

A knife thrower practices on a target girl.

Jurek, a medical student and notorious womanizer, spends the night with Anka, a carefree and spirited girl who does not want to continue the relationship. The couple meets again after a few months. Jurek is forced to look for a place to live. He finds an offer for a room for a medical student in exchange for caring for a sick person. Together with the girl, Monika, they go to the address provided. It turns out that the sick person is Anka. She had an accident while horseback riding and is now in a wheelchair. After some hesitation, she agrees to let Jurek take care of her.

Wajda's homage to Zbigniew Cybulski, the "Polish James Dean" who starred in the director's ASHES AND DIAMONDS and died young. The movie follows the tribulations of a director attempting to make a movie with a Cybulski-like star who never shows up.

Peter and Eliza are vacationing in the Mazury region. After an argument with her boyfriend, the girl leaves him and goes away. Meanwhile, Eliza's father Jul, a sculptor, organizes a reunion of former members of the student theater in which he performed years ago.