Easy-going East Berlin Volkspolizist (GDR cop) Martin Kupfer, divorced without custody of his pre-teen daughter, starts an innocent affair with beautician Julia Hausmann, having dutifully arrested her in 1980 for a forbidden Walkman during a speeding drive with her German-American fiance Robert Schnyder, whom she cheats on despite being the perfect in-law for her mother, critical songwriter-club singer Dunja Hausmann. Martin and Julia ignore Dunja enjoys protection as former lover of Martin's father, high-ranking Security Ministry officer Hans Kupfer. Charging by Hans...

Stasi officer Falk Kupfer is started and furious that Julia wasn't found in American Robert Schnyder's car, as she stayed out of love for his cop brother Martin. Ignoring father Hans's instructions of diplomatic prudence, Falk keeps Robert in appalling conditions, questioning him as 'good cop'. He still won't incriminate Julia until shown pictures made by spying Martin as her lover, but that drives the capitalist to suicide. Falk now questions Julia but Hans intervenes for her at mother Dunja Hausmann's plea, only to find her a rebellious liar. Marti still ignores why...