The story of a summer dress and those who have to do with it, especially the train conductor (played by van Warmerdam, the director). The dress functions as catalyst for the whimsical events, which turns out to be either tragic or hilarious.

In ‘Empty’ we meet Rein. Rein (36) is a seasoned fisherman. When the younger Job comes to work on board for the first time, previously repressed feelings are awoken in Rein. Imprisoned by the boat, Rein is unable to escape his growing desires and a crisis looms.

The point of departure for this film is the 1981 composition De Tijd by Dutch composer Louis Andriessen. Van der Keuken leaves the music undisturbed as an autonomous soundtrack and has the images engage in a sort of battle with it. These images are associations, fragments of events, scenes and situations. The film is preceded by a text by Bert Schierbeek.

During the second world war law student Hannie Schaft is a member of the Dutch resistance movement.