Together with a group of temporary workers, a group of experienced labourers is building a land reclamation system to turn the South Bohemian marshes into a "Seventh Continent" of fertile soil.

The boys find a Turkish chess machine in the museum's storerooms and win a magic crystal with which they can subdue objects to their will. A doll, a puck at a match of their favorite hockey team.... And even a teacher.

As unbelievable as it sounds, a stint in prison can really fix things. The old seasoned pickpocket will serve many years before he is released, but he comes out a changed man. He even dares to refuse the lures and threats of an all-powerful criminal gang to cooperate with him.

After the death of their father, 18-year-old Helene Raupe (“coccoon”) and her younger sister Asta come under the guardianship of the youth welfare office in East Berlin. Helene fails miserably as a fishmonger, fashion assistant and bus conductor, all jobs ordained for her by the authorities. The young woman really only “emerges” in her fantasies, where she can escape from her dull, normal life.