Set in 1964 in an unnamed village under Israeli military rule since 1948, a local half-wit Mabruq loses his parents during a period of forced exile while the object of his affections, Jamilah, has been mute since seeing her mother killed. Both people are examples of the type of casualty that emerges in the region. The Mukhtar, head of the local elder's council, mediates between the interests of the village and the military governor who runs the region. When Iraeli authorities discover that work permits have been forged, the Mukhtar points the finger at an innocent but politically troublesome schoolteacher Ahmad. He's subsequently beaten and taken to jail. However, Mabruq's fanatic handyman Mahmmud is determined to find the real culprit.