A film director, tired of fiction and in search of a story with substance, attaches himself to an old man that sells bunches of lavender in the street. The old man, Spyros, is a former communist who has spent thirty-two years as an exile in Tashkent, and has now returned to Greece. Back in his village, which he had defended during the war, he becomes a witness of the selling out of both land and ideas, which he tries to prevent. However, he is unable to adapt to the new reality he encounters. He becomes isolated, incapable of communicating with his children or those around him. Only his wife, a faithful and patient Penelope follows him to the end, to his last journey...

The film received the award for best screenplay, as well as the FIPRESCI award at the 1984 Cannes Film Festival.