Industrial Soviet town in 1970s suffering from cholera epidemic. Zina Shamarina nicknamed Shamara is a rebel-spirited woman who lives in factory dormitory and is desperately in love with Ustin, the man who was one of the bunch that raped her years ago and then married her only to avoid prosecution. When Ustin commences affair with the new girl in town, Shamara is challenged to regain herself and her place in this community.