Plot Summary

Simon, a builder, dies in the small Armenian town of Berd. He has lived a long and very eventful life. Simon is known to the townspeople not only as an excellent bricklayer and roofer, but also as a ladies' man, nicknamed "jantelman", from the Armenian "jan", "my soul". Simon's four lovers come to the coffin, four women whom he once made happy — Sylvia, Eliza, Sofia and Susanna. Simon's wife Melania reconciles with her former rivals, and together they remember Simon, a man who knew how to give women not only gifts, but also a little happiness. Simon receives forgiveness from all his women, and they put in his coffin those memorable gifts that he once gave them. Life goes on.