The life of a woman and a man at a crossroads - in two separate stories that perhaps have something in common. Ewa is an English teacher and translator, but she is hired as a caregiver for an elderly lady, whom she is to entertain with reading and conversation. Eryk works at a university, but is more interested in helping those in need rather than in literature, which - just like his quick temper - causes him a lot of problems. They both have difficult personalities and feel that they don’t get as much from life as they deserve. There could be more points of contact - a shared past or future?
Inspired by true events, a story of a blind grand piano genius. As a child Mietek loses his sight. His mother places him in the care of the nuns in Laski. At the centre for the blind the boy discovers that music may be his way of seeing the world again and of describing it. Mietek goes on to become a brilliant classical pianist. Once he discovers jazz music, though, he has only one goal left: to become the best jazz pianist in Poland. He is more and more successful, not only in Poland but around the world. He wins the prestigious Montreux Jazz Festival. Unexpectedly, a charismatic vocalist, Zuza, walks into his life. This meeting will change it forever.
On September 1st, 1939, Nazi Germany invades Poland, unleashing World War II. On September 17th, the Soviet Red Army crosses the border. The Polish army, unable to fight on two fronts, is defeated. Thousands of Polish men, both military and government officials, are captured by the invaders. Their fate will only be known several years later.