The story follows Juli, a young film student, during the 1956 Hungarian uprising.
Returning from her studies in Moscow, she sees her friends and family react differently.
János, a married factory manager, supports the patriots and later assists fellow workers in staging a strike.
Some decide to emigrate, others stay... A particularly surreal scene involves a New Year's Eve party in which the participants wear costumes.
Within a very short time police arrive and look suspiciously at the guests, who are all wearing ridiculous costumes.