When Paul Runge, a soldier of the Red Army, returns home to Koordi after the war, he sees that, despite the new regime, life in Koordi hasn't changed. It's still a abandoned, uncultured Estonian village, where rich landlords still oppress the population. Runge starts talking about founding a kolkhoze.
Andrus Laane comes from a fisherman's village. He dreams of becoming a captain to sail the seas but fails the entrance exams to the marine academy. By accident he starts working at a big gas plant. Sharp-witted young man with innovative ideas will be recognized. He will also find his first true love. It seems that Andrus has found his happiness, even if not at sea.
The story of the distressed residents living in poor slums during the economic crisis of the first Estonian Republic in early 1930s. It is the life in the backyard both literally and symbolically. Based on the story "In the Backyard" by Oskar Luts and the drama play directed by Andres Särev.
