After attending a wedding on a steamboat traveling down the river Spree, three friends from Hamburg become stranded in a newly reunified Berlin. They begin a restless odyssey through the wastelands of a metropolis wavering between an unpredictable future and a lingering past.

After attending a wedding on a steamboat traveling down the river Spree, three friends from Hamburg become stranded in a newly reunified Berlin. They begin a restless odyssey through the wastelands of a metropolis wavering between an unpredictable future and a lingering past.

A young woman strolls through the night, then boards a train. Seeking closeness to others she chooses an unusual method by searching through people’s luggage.

Five more-or-less distinct sections, all featuring "Freak" Orlando, a woman played by the late Magdalena Montezuma, who appears in various guises and deformities throughout.

In Hamburg, a slap out of the blue is received by the victim with appreciation. The man, who is hit by a woman, interprets it as an act of anarchy and finds meaning in it. Then they both go out into the street and declare slapping to be an art form.

In Hamburg, a slap out of the blue is received by the victim with appreciation. The man, who is hit by a woman, interprets it as an act of anarchy and finds meaning in it. Then they both go out into the street and declare slapping to be an art form.

Harry, a timpanist and pyromaniac, and Ginamove into the same apartment due to Hamburg's housing shortage. This is the beginning of a wonderful enmity, with Harry, who has been tried and tested in marital warfare, and relationship terrorist Gina proving to be quite equal opponents.

Harry, a timpanist and pyromaniac, and Ginamove into the same apartment due to Hamburg's housing shortage. This is the beginning of a wonderful enmity, with Harry, who has been tried and tested in marital warfare, and relationship terrorist Gina proving to be quite equal opponents.

Martha lives in Hamburg with her young son and makes films with real passion. To stay close to the pulse of society, she has moved in with a Portuguese family. Teresa helps foreigners navigate bureaucracy, while Martha tries to build a romance with Alfred. Their shared everyday life reflects West German realities, captured spontaneously and with sarcastic wit.

Martha lives in Hamburg with her young son and makes films with real passion. To stay close to the pulse of society, she has moved in with a Portuguese family. Teresa helps foreigners navigate bureaucracy, while Martha tries to build a romance with Alfred. Their shared everyday life reflects West German realities, captured spontaneously and with sarcastic wit.