The Childhood of Maxim Gorky

After his father dies, young Alexei (later Maxim Gorky) and his mother Varvara arrive on a boat to live with his mother's parents and brothers. Back at the house, the family celebrates Varvara's return and both Grandmother Akulina and Vanya the gypsy apprentice who works in grandfather's clothing dye shop engage in lovely Russian folk dances. The party comes to an abrupt halt when Grandfather Vasili arrives. A fight breaks out when Alexei's uncles Mikhail and Yakov argue with their father over division of the dye shop. Alexei hides and watches as they overturn tables and punch each other.