Em maio de 1940 as tropas alemãs invadem a França. Assustados com o progresso do inimigo, os habitantes da pequena vila de Pas-de-Calais decidem sobre as recomendações da prefeitura, desistem de tudo e fogem para a costa. Entre eles há Paul, o prefeito da aldeia. Ele lidera o grupo e procura manter um mínimo de ordem e espírito republicano nesta vida nômade. Mado, sua esposa, toca música tentando manter a fragrância dos que tiveram lugar em seu café na aldeia. Música do filme - a obra-prima 'A la recherche de la paix' - composta, orquestrada e dirigida pelo ilustre compositor, arranjador e maestro italiano Ennio Morricone.
Stephen lives in Berlin and is unemployed. Together with his ex-girlfriend he shares custody of his son, Jasper, but while other fathers go with their children to the movies, they browse through their days, collecting old clothes or returnable bottles. Jasper loves his father and covers for him towards his mother and the child welfare office, but it is increasingly difficult for Stephen to bear his own free fall through the German social network. He knows what personal and professional mistakes he has made and as he realizes that he now runs the risk of failing as a father, he decides on a calm farewell and prepares himself for a serious act of desperation.
