Western

German construction workers are hired to build a hydroelectric plant in a remote Bulgarian village. The cement mixing water supply is interrupted and promised gravel never arrives, bringing the project to a standstill. Boredom and tension begin to simmer as the men wait for the next supply.

While sunning in a nearby river, the Germans meet local women. A tense moment arises when a Bulgarian woman loses her sun hat and the German who retrieves it refuses to return it, pushing her underwater. The incident sows early friction between the groups.

Locals accuse the Germans of stealing fruit from an orchard, escalating distrust. Meanwhile the locals also steal the German's flag, deepening the cultural clash. The small conflicts reflect broader tensions between the two communities.

Meinhard finds a white horse and rides it into the village, attempting to talk with the locals despite the language barrier. The horse belongs to Adrian, who allows the ride. Meinhard begins a tentative friendship with Adrian and his family through shared moments.

Meinhard learns that the water shortage is a rationing issue shared among villages, not a personal slight against the Germans. The locals explain how distributing water for their own needs is necessary to prevent everyone from going without. The situation reframes the conflict as a matter of survival.

Foreman Vincent takes the white horse and goes to the water well, turning off water for the locals. In the process, he fatally injures the horse in a fall from a steep incline. Meinhard later finds the dying horse and ends its suffering by killing it himself.

During negotiations over water access, Vincent flirts with Viara, who serves as a translator. She rebuffs him, signaling a personal boundary amid the tense exchanges. The dynamics between power, desire, and translation become a quiet undercurrent.

Meinhard approaches Viara and they walk together; their connection deepens, and they eventually begin a sexual relationship. Their personal bond contrasts with the broader conflict between groups.

Later that evening, a Bulgarian man who lost money to Meinhard at poker pleads for restitution. Meinhard offers only a partial return, hinting at growing tensions and personal entanglements affecting judgment. The debt becomes a small but symbolic flashpoint.

Returning to the camp in darkness, Meinhard is attacked by his own German coworkers. He fends them off and ends up spending the night outdoors, strained by the confrontation. The episode marks a turning point in trust within the crew.

The next morning, Bulgarian friends take Meinhard to a village party where Germans and locals mingle. He is punched by a local man during a dispute concerning his involvement with Viara, underscoring the fragility of cross-border relations.

Adrian remarks that conflict is part of village life, a reminder of the social reality around them. Meinhard, after a moment of hesitation, returns to the party and joins the dancing, choosing inclusion over withdrawal. The scene culminates in a fragile, fragile moment of unity.