In a struggling post-Soviet community, Lilya a teenage girl is abandoned when her mother moves to the United States with her boyfriend. Facing neglect and poverty, she meets Andrei, who offers her a job in Sweden, giving her hope for a better life — and a journey that will change everything.

1957. Excessively high production standards imposed by the authorities result in the plan not being fulfilled, and the workers cannot imagine living normally without rewards and bonuses. A rebellion breaks out. Worker democracy wins – the working class elects a director from among its own ranks. He is an old locksmith with no managerial experience. Although he believes in the socialist spirit and has a communist past, he does not hold the position for long, as he makes promises too easily that he is unable to keep.

Minna, a drug addict who makes a living dealing drugs, can't pay rent and after cheating some delinquents she runs with the money. She meets Katja and they move together to an illegal residence outside the city, where a group of people have decided to join and live by their own rules.

Two young men from a town near Łódź attack and rob a taxi driver. Unsatisfied with the loot, they make their escape from the authorities across Poland.

The Clearing is the story of amphetamine abuser Kia and her struggle for a decent existence.