Early years of Lithuanian independence from the soviets. Rebellious, weak hearted, but strong willed boy Saulius arrives at a youth sanatorium where he meets some charismatic friends, fights for the love of his life and gets some valuable life lessons from his coach.
During the interwar period, a Lithuanian geography professor tries to convince the government to establish a backup state overseas, in order to save their country from ruin. However, the idea is mostly mocked and opposed. Still, there is hope in the secret support from the elderly prime minister, who has become disillusioned with politics.