The story takes place in 1945, near the end of the
Second World War in
Serbia, at a time when the newly formed
communist government still had to deal with backward groups of
Chetniks. The protagonist, Ive Vrana, is a young
Dalmatian and member of
SKOJ who believes in revolution and a higher goal. Ive's father was killed by
Italian soldiers, causing him to move in with his relatives in Serbia to continue his high school education. He first encounters an obstacle when his girlfriend, Milica, is singled out as a
bourgeoisie class traitor due to her upbringing. He also witnesses the drunk and reckless behaviour of partisan leader Zeka. Tensions increase as the local partisans fight and attempt to capture Marko, a Chetnik leader. Ive's idealism increasingly clashes with reality and the fact that his own side is also carrying out reckless and violent repression. He joins the ranks of
OZNA, but finds himself even more disillusioned by an opportunistic officer's lies and the violence around him, as well as relationships, as Milica cheats on him with her PE teacher. Frustrated, Ive goes on a walk outside the village, but is captured by partisans who mistake him for a Chetnik and kill him when he is unable to provide documentation. == Cast ==