Early 1921: a man is on his way home. Gleb Chumalov, regimental commander, worker and Hero of the Order of the Red Banner, returns to his home town from the Civil War. The victory over the enemies of the Russian people gives him the conviction that a new, better time will dawn overnight. Gleb looks for his comrades from earlier years, but only finds people who are emaciated by their efforts. The cement works where he used to work has been plundered and abandoned. With great effort, Gleb and his comrades try to get the plant up and running again. The struggle seems to begin anew... It is the time after the victory of the “Great October Socialist Revolution“ and the time of building a new society.

The plot takes viewers to various places in Europe, including Prague, Erfurt, Frankfurt/Main and even Tenerife. And the title "The Blonde Geisha" turned out to be a nickname for the film's heroine, who had once been called that by her school friend Andreas. At the time, there was more than a hint of romance between the two, but then they lost sight of each other. Now, all of a sudden, a reunion in Prague! This would be a chance for Erika and Andraes to start afresh, but the two are not alone in the Czechoslovakian capital, as if on an island. Instead, the businesswoman from West Germany and the research engineer from East Germany find themselves in the sights of shady people who do not shy away from crime in order to achieve their goals, and so the two main protagonists find themselves in increasingly dangerous situations.

In a village, there is reason to gossip and mock. As a kind of reward, the workaholic tractor driver Andreas is sent on vacation for a few days before being called up for military service.

One day before Christmas, on December 23, the Schmidt family moves into their new apartment in a Berlin high-rise; until then, they lived in tranquil Birkenwalde. Little Sebastian fears that Santa Claus doesn't know about their move and therefore won't be able to bring him his presents. Even if he knows where Bastel and his parents now live, he might not be able to find him because there are several families in this large building with the name Schmidt.

The school authorities want to read success stories in director Joachim Faber's reports. But they cannot simply be produced on an assembly line. Pupils, for example, use the wrong tone. The matter draws circles until the superiors finally talk about refusal to work. Director Faber is caught between the efforts to resolve the conflict with pedagogical means and the pressure from above.

In a small Saxon town after the Second World War, the former chimney sweep Toni tries to survive on the black market and meets the pusher Ginfizz. Together they initially trade in flour before embarking on a riskier plan: they are to rescue machines from Soviet expropriation for the mill owner Hartmann by transporting them in hidden trucks. In the process, they become entangled in various adventures, from rescuing orphans to transporting pigs, while being constantly pursued by the young policewoman Gisela, who wavers between her professional duty and her attraction to Toni. After Ginfizz is caught and the others remain temporarily free, they help to get the mill up and running again to avert a food shortage.

Four years have passed since Alma and Dr. Kröpelin got married. The home zoo in Groß-Klückow is thriving and Alma is completely absorbed in her new role. But she still finds time to take care of things that, strictly speaking, are none of her business.

Russian soldier Grisha escapes from a German prisoner-of-war camp in the spring of 1917. He is caught and is to be shot as a spy. This decision is controversial. The dispute continues. Grisha is executed on the orders of the army high command.

The pretty young crane operator Vera is the only woman in a team of dock workers at the overseas port of Rostock. She has to hold her own against her male colleagues. Fortunately, she has the support of her grandfather, who is the porter at the girls' hostel where Vera lives. Working with the impulsive Norbert, who promptly falls in love with Vera, is particularly tense. She much prefers the sensible and responsible Christian. Who will win her heart?

The little island of Laenneken is a place where time seems to stands still. Traditional customs and age-old power relations are still in place and are unaffected by modern-day influences. Not even the foundation of a fishery cooperative has diminished the power of the two richest fishermen, Pröpping and Grabe. Both men have been bitter rivals for ages. Nevertheless, Grabe’s son Henning and Pröpping’s daughter Bärbel prepare to break with the traditions that restrict their lives, as they are had over heels in love with each other and want to marry.