In 1943 in a Romanian fishing village on the river Danube brothers Pavel and Simion are at odds with one another. Pavel is mature, hard working, honest, respected by all. He's medically discharged from the army. Simion is the opposite. Being much younger he's rebellious, immature, a troublemaker and a deserter from the army. The Romanian Army is fighting alongside Germany on the Russian Front. When German troops stationed in Romania mine the river Danube villagers are ordered to keep out and many fishermen see their livelihood threatened. The local Gendarmes led by Gendarme Pangrate are looking for Simion. At night, robberies and sabotage against the German troops occur. Two German soldiers are found dead in a fishing boat and their guns stolen. The Gendarmes blame Simion but they also harass his brother, Pavel. There are rumors that partisans are hiding in a nearby forest. German troops arrive in force to comb it.