This landmark of Romanian cinema presents two poignant tales exploring the absence of love and human connection. In the first story, a quarry worker faces immense hardship after the death of her husband, striving to care for her ailing daughter amid growing despair. The second narrative follows a young army deserter who teams up with a Romani musician to perform at a wedding—only to find themselves entangled in the emotional turmoil of a reluctant bride forced into marriage