In the impoverished Polish town of Olecko, Stefan Bednarz (Franciscek Pieczka) is put in charge of a large chemical plant, which is being built against the wishes of the local populace. Although it will improve the town's economic prospects and provide badly needed new jobs, the factory will also mean the destruction of many homes and adversely affect the environment. Despite his best efforts to convince the townspeople of the benefits, Bendarz has difficulty reconciling the gulf between his good intentions and reality.