1937 Warsaw, Poland. The Jewish mafia rules the city. Head honcho is gangster socialist, Buddy Kaplica. His right-hand man, boxer, Jakub Szapiro who dreams of taking over Buddy's top spot as King of Warsaw.

Polish-born Russian subject Cezary Baryka comes of age during a tumultous period of ten years from 1914 to 1924, during which he witnesses revolution, rebirth of Poland, war with the Soviets and communist plots.

During a pogrom in Poland on the eve of World War I, a group of Jews seek refuge from the Cossacks. The fugitives hide out in a rural inn, terrified that they may be given away at any moment.