1950s. The construction of the Karakum Canal is underway in Turkmenistan. The fate of this great construction project is closely connected with the fate of many characters in the film: correspondent Koryshev, who uncovers the lies of ostentatious, slanderous articles of his colleague Zurabov; talented young engineer Karabash, whose advanced construction methods are supported by the head of the construction site Ermasov; embittered old engineer Khorev, who out of envy for Karabash writes denunciations to the Central Committee of the Party against him and Ermasov....