Dominik Graf, now a leading filmmaker, revisits his late father Robert Graf’s acting career (1956–1966), during which Robert appeared in 20 features and 25 TV dramas by directors like Hoffmann, Staudte, Siodmak, Sturges, and Comencini. Through archival clips and personal reflections, Dominik “meets” his father and confronts the West German society and film industry of that era, where scripted narratives often outweighed real life.

Thirteen-year-old Julia leaves Berlin, where she resides with her father, to spend vacation in the Czech Republic. While there she experiences first love, and also tries to help the local kids rescue a circus bear from a rich German hunter who's willing to pay for a bit of sport. If the parents get their way they'll use Mr. Big Game to finance the circus and even contribute to local pensions. The children and the bear head for the forest.