In May 1945, returning soldier Michael Duda finds his hometown Weißenthal unoccupied. He meets escaped camp prisoner Arno Laube, who leads the town’s ad hoc move toward democracy and improbably appoints 19-year-old Michael as mayor. Tasked with refugees, shortages, and rogue soldiers, Michael must prove himself in a fractured No Man’s Land.

In an old house in the middle of nowhere, the two elderly ladies Ottilia and Milva lead a cozy life. Suddenly, a circus director appears on their doorstep and gives them an intimidated ox, which they kindly take into their home. They have no idea what his hidden intentions are.