Seekers of Happiness

The Jewish family, led by matriarch Dvoira, begins their journey to Birobidžan, first traveling by ship and then by train. The origins of the family are unclear, but some sources suggest they are repatriates from Palestine, seeking a new life in the Soviet Union. Their goal is to find happiness and stability in the collective farm 'Red Fields'.

The family arrives at the collective farm and struggles with the initial difficulties but quickly adapts to their new environment. Everyone except Pinya, who is motivated by the prospect of discovering gold, actively engages in farm work. Pinya's reluctance to work hard causes tension within the family.

Disappointed with farm work, Pinya searches for gold by a small riverbank after reading about gold discovery in a newspaper. His attempt to find riches is secretive and driven by greed, leading him to take risks outside his assigned work.

Pinya is caught by Lyovka while searching for gold. In a confrontation, Pinya hits Lyovka with a shovel, mistakenly believing Lyovka is dead. This act marks a turning point, as Pinya's actions threaten to lead to severe consequences.

Panicked after the altercation, Pinya attempts to escape across the border into China to evade arrest. His plan fails when he is caught and detained by authorities, escalating the tension within the community.

Rosa, Dvoira's daughter, falls in love with Korney, a young fisherman’s son. Their relationship faces opposition due to Korney being Russian and not Jewish, which worries Dvoira about her daughter's future and cultural identity.

Korney is suspected of murdering Lyovka after being found near the scene, which causes panic and suspicion among the villagers. The situation is resolved when Lyovka miraculously recovers and identifies Pinya as the real culprit.

Lyovka regains consciousness and clarifies that Korney is innocent, implicating Pinya in the murder. This revelation clears Korney's name and restores peace to the community, highlighting themes of justice.

The film concludes with Rosa and Korney celebrating their wedding. Dvoira praises their union and expresses gratitude for the land and government that have provided the Jews with a homeland, symbolizing hope and stability.

Basya, the second daughter, falls in love with Natan, the collective's chairman. Their relationship is complicated by her marriage to Pinya and her unhappiness due to Pinya's refusal to assimilate into the community.

Pinya's arrest clears the way for Basya and Natan to be together. With her marriage to Pinya over, Basya receives her mother's blessing, leading to their joyful dance at Rosa's wedding.