It's June 1945. The Second World War has ended, and many French nationals like Marion return from concentration camps in Germany, or forced labor. Marion should consider herself lucky, since many never returned. Hoping to make up for lost time, she reconnects with her best friend Pierre. Pierre is living with Julie whom he cares for as a sister. Marion and Pierre go to a special wedding - that of Georges and Italian beauty Anna. They had met each other in the summer of 1944 during the Liberation of Paris. Georges becomes a permanent Communist party member. His commitment to the party and its causes earn him well-deserved promotions rapidly. Meanwhile, Anna is about to give birth to little Francesca. Another principal character's life and career are taking off along with the Communist Party. This is François, who is also making good profits with the increasing sales of the party-sanctioned "Humanité" newspaper.