Nikodem Dyzma is a poor dancer who comes to Warsaw to find a job. The problem is that nobody wants to hire him. One day he finds an invitation to the party with very important people and decides to attend. A small accident at the party makes him the hero of the night and becomes the beginning of his career.
After becoming a licensed engineer abroad, Lucyna comes back to Poland and looks for a job. Because her wealthy father thinks it's inappropriate for a girl to work, she decides to put on men's clothes and get a job as Julian Kwiatkowski.
The son of a miller, following his call, flees to the sea, but after several years he returns to his family and to his childhood romance, Hanka.