William Adelt

A sociohistorical drama about the construction of the Simplon-tunnel: A conflict develops when German workers want to strike and fight for better working conditions while Italian workers simply want to earn money and provide for their families.

The film tells the love story of two young couples. According to their social ranks, construction worker Edy is dating employee Siegi, while medical student Dieter is dating art school student Sonja. Rather unintentionally, they exchange partners. During a carnival ball, Dieter makes out with Siegi because he falls for her her fresh and happy girlish manner. Sonja coolly observes this game and sees this intermezzo as a test for their relationship. While Siegi and Dieter vacation at the sea, Sonja falls in love with Edy. Now the die seems to be cast for new constellations. But when both couples stand in front of the registrar’s office, they finally come to their senses.

A farmer who has fled the republic returns disappointed from the West to the village of Oslitz (GDR). He and his wife are supposed to get their house and farm back, but the case becomes the occasion for an unusual LPG meeting. The chairman, a comrade from the town and the farmers want to find out what caused the returnee to flee and whether it could have been avoided. The farmer claims that the chairman wanted to force him into the LPG because of illegal fertilizer purchases. He interprets his behavior differently. In order to clarify the matter and learn lessons from it, those present re-enact the events before the escape with reversed roles.