Helga Schubert

The remarkable 83-year-old Helga Schubert lives in the remote landscape between Schwerin and Wismar. Her days are filled with the loving care of her sick 95-year-old husband, Johannes Helm, once a professor of psychology and passionate painter. But amidst this rural tranquility, Helga is anything but idle. Every day she dedicates herself to her passion, writing.

Inge Herold is in her mid-thirties. She is divorced and lives with her 15-year-old son. She works as a psychologist and social worker and is involved with a married man. Suddenly, Inge finds out she may have breast cancer, which would mean an operation the very next day. The 24 hours before the planned surgery puts her under enormous psychological pressure and she begins to reevaluate her life. With heightened awareness of matters of everyday life, she realizes that what she previously considered meaningful, was actually void of any real meaning.

Stefan's mother is interviewed by a television crew at her home. On the subject of how a single mother, who is actively involved in the work process, copes, the son, who is present, only gives snotty answers. Stefan works as an apprentice bricklayer and helps to build the French Cathedral on Berliner Platz der Akademie. On the day of his 18th birthday, he tells his mother that he is moving out. In his new surroundings, Stefan meets Christel, a telegram messenger, with whom he falls in love. An attempt to spend a night together in his mother's spare apartment fails, as Christel immediately wants to tie him down. Stefan's mother also arrives earlier than expected. She still hasn't given up on her son. There is a lot of trouble when she catches him working as a toilet attendant in a pub.