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A group of former soldiers try to rebuild their homes and their lives in the wake of World War II in this drama produced in the Soviet Union. Leonid (Oleg Borisov) comes back to his family a decorated veteran, but his medals came with a price; Leonid has lost his sight, and the depression over his blindness has led him into alcoholism. Along with his friend Grisha (Viktor Avdyushko), Leonid and other soldiers help to create a new city for displaced veterans such as themselves, but the difficult circumstances and Leonid's drinking eventually drive away his wife, leaving their son behind to watch over his father. While Leonid's life wastes away, Grisha gets a job at a nearby factory, and in time builds a happy and stable existence for himself, his wife, and their children. Things are going well for Grisha and his co-workers until the factory head is taken away by authorities, leaving the future of its workers in the balance. Rabochiy Posyelok received one of its few screenings outside the Soviet Union as part of the Soviet Cinema retrospective at the 2000Locarno Film Festival.