After the mysterious death of the local ferryman, rumours claim that the river is cursed. Therefore, none of the locals wants to take over the job, even though the ferry is desperately needed. But then Maria, a homeless drifter who is looking for work, agrees to become the town′s new ferryman.
But already on her first night on the job she gets into danger, when a wounded soldier seeks refuge from his pursuers. Maria takes him in, and gradually she falls in love with the stranger. But one night, another man comes looking for the soldier, forcing Maria to employ desperate means in order to save her love.