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