When tough Amy Douglas is working in a psychiatric hospital, she strikes up a friendship with Josef, an elderly patient, an acclaimed Czech poet in exile and a suspected traitor. Together they visit present day Prague where his return arouses fears of denunciation of former communist collaborators. Amy finds her loyalties torn when she becomes involved with an idealistic Czech student who doubts Josef's motives. As Josef's official reception approaches, violence erupts as people try to prevent Josef speaking. However, Josef's intention is not to denounce anyone but to preach reconciliation through his poetry.