Tomek (Olaf Lubaszenko) is a shy and introverted 19-year-old who lives in a rented room in one of Warsaw’s apartment blocks. Working as a milkman in the mornings and at the local post office during the day, he studies foreign languages at night. Using a spyglass, Tomek begins to watch Magda (Grazyna Szapolowska), a beautiful woman who lives in a flat across the road. Gradually, his curiosity develops into love and he becomes hurt by the sight of other men visiting Magda in her flat. Frightened of approaching the woman, Tomek begins to forge delivery notes so that he can see her when she visits the post office. When Madga is accused of fraud by a post office clerk, Tomek confesses to forgery and reveals his feelings for Magda. She invites him back to her flat and tries to convince him that what he feels is physical desire rather than true love.

This powerful film about the need for love is also about the fear of opening one’s heart to another person. It won the Grand Prix at the 1988 Gdynia Film Festival (the most important Polish film award) as well as a Special Jury prize and the FIPRESCI award at San Sebastian.