August 1961: To earn a bit of West German money, East Berlin "plaselayer" Hans Kuhlke smuggles scrap metal to his friend Erwin Sawatzke in West Berlin. One evening, he and his wife are invited to the Sawatzkes' house. Meanwhile, their son Paul stays with a friend in East Berlin. On this summer night, the political situation in Berlin comes to a dramatic head: the borders are closed and the construction of the Wall is initiated. The disappearance of his parents leaves 14-year-old pioneer Paul torn between family ties and loyalty to the party. At the last second, he sees through his role in the system and is taken in by his piano teacher. Together they plan their escape to the West - but it turns into a race against time.

Eva is a passionate teacher. After the death of her mother, she tries to find a new direction in life. Then Sevda, a Turkish girl, joins her class. She is smart, self-confident and wears a headscarf out of conviction. She demands her right to religious freedom without restriction. Rolf, the principal of the grammar school, believes that peace at school is at risk and wants to ban Sevda from wearing the headscarf. Eva, on the other hand, wants to take the more sustainable path and persuade her. But then the conflict at the school comes to a head.