Growing up on the grounds of one of Germany's largest psychiatric hospitals is somehow - different. For Joachim, the director's youngest son, the patients are like family. They are also much nicer to him than his two older brothers, who drive him into fits of rage. His mother, painting watercolors, longs for Italian summer nights instead of constant German rain, while his father secretly, but not discreetly enough, goes his own way. But while Joachim slowly grows up, his world, not only through the loss of his first love, gets more and more cracks...
After living in a psychiatric hospital for many years, Winkler knows how to play by the rules. His behavior is perfectly adapted to the daily routine of occupational therapy, medication and boredom. Unlike his rebellious roommate Jan who was just committed to the hospital, Winkler has known for a long time that only the most inconspicuous patients eventually get a chance to be released. As Winkler’s annual evaluation draws near, all signs points to his imminent release. His doctor, as well as his friends in the ward, encourage him to prepare for his new freedom, but Winkler becomes increasingly aware that little awaits him in the outside world.
