Throughout the film, several sequences delve into the origins of oil, its chemical composition, and related scientific details.
Dunyasha and Oksana meet the wives in the harem of a swindler named Usseynov and persuade them to leave him to build independent lives in the Soviet state.
Seeking revenge, Usseynov kidnaps Dunyasha and Oksana, taking them to the uninhabited island of Illan Dilli ("Snake's Sting") near the Turkish border, intending for them to die of hunger and thirst.
Romantic feelings begin to develop, forming two couples: Misha and Oksana, and Tom and Dunyasha.
In the final scene, the heroes discuss the names for their newborn children, symbolizing their hopeful future.