简介：Whenachildstealscandlesfromthecemetery,inordertoprovidesomelightmeansforhisfamilyshelteredintoadampbasementofablockofflats,thiscircumstancecansayalotaboutthesufferanceimposedbytransitionperiodoftimeinRomania.ThischildisoneoftheseventhatMariahasgot.Sheisa33yearsoldordinarywoman,whosehusband(Ion)isunemployedandhasbecomeadrunkardandviolentlyacting,maybebecauseofhisdespairingandlackofprospective.Ofcourse,MariaandIonusedtoloveeachotheronce.Butnow,theseventhchildoftheirswouldbeborntoliveinthedarkness,painandfightsMariatriesfindingsomework.Butnobodyhelpsher.Onlyherkind-heartedneighbors(Mala)generositysupportsherinsurvivingfromonedaytotheother.Thefewmoneythatshehasarebrutallysnatchedfromher,asbeatenandswornatbyIon,whowastesmostofhistimeintoasuburbtavern,where,whilebrutifiedbytoomuchdrinking,hekeepsoncomplainingaboutbeingunemployed.Sincethefactorysshuttingdown,Milco,Ionscolleagueatthefactoryandhisbestfriendgoesonpermanentlythinkingaboutstartingsomebusinesses(thatareinfactbothillusoryandridiculous).However,doesnotevenwanttolistentoMilcosplans.Oneday,whiledeaddrunk,Ionsimplyandentirelydestroysabar;thereforepoliceseizeshim.Afterbeingreleasedfromprison,Ionpackshisluggageandleavesforthecountrysideathisparents,accompaniedbyMilco.WherecouldthenMariafindanycomfort?OnlyinherfaithinGod.Thechurchmassmakesherstrongerandgiveshercourage.Maybesomethingbeautifulwouldfinallyoccurintoherlife.AnuntriestohelpherbyproposingMariatosellherchildthenewbornone.Anyway,Mariacouldnevereveracceptsellingherbaby.Shewouldrathersellherself.Atthismoment,herdestinyforcesherintototallychangingherlife.Inordertoearnalivingforherchildren,Mariabecomesaprostitute,sohitchingthedriversofinternationaltruckspassingbythetown.Theexperiencesthatsheundertakesmeanwhilearesheershocking:frommenthatpushesherawaywithoutpayingherservicestoaTurkdriverthatunderstandsherdramaandhelpsher.Togetherwithanotherprostitutes,Mariaistakenatpoliceheadquarters.Thereshewouldcalmlyexplainwhyshehasbecomeaprostitute.Herconfessionisverytouching.Policemenhaveseizednotaprostitute,butamotherwhowouldputherselftoanysacrificeforherchildren.ThusMariabecomesarealcase.Theneighbors,oncemercifultoher,wouldblameher.Mariaremainsaloneandconfrontingalltheupbraiding,gossipsandlifeshardships.HerstorywouldbewidelyspreadbyaTVbroadcast.Throughthatfilm,theMayorwouldfindoutMariasstoryanddecidestohelpher.Atfirst,Mariacanhardlybelievethat.Shehasgotusednothopeanythinggoodinherlife.However,acarwillcometotransporthertotheCityHall,wheresheissupposedtoreceivethekeysfromhernewapartment.IonwatchestheTVnewsandcomesbackhome.Mariaishappy,but…