In a late 1920s Berlin, a young woman named Maria finds herself caught between her desire for freedom and the expectations of society. Upon returning from a trip across Europe, where she has explored her passion for art, she reunites with her family, who hope she will follow a more traditional path. However, Maria, driven by her rebellious spirit, ventures into the vibrant world of cabarets and bohemia, where she meets a charismatic yet troubled artist named Hans.
Her relationship with Hans is intense and tumultuous. As he struggles with his own demons and insecurities about the future, Maria feels torn between her love for him and her desire to forge her own path. As they delve deeper into the city's nightlife, tensions mount, and the dream of an exciting life is threatened by the shadows of reality.
Through nights filled with music, laughter, and heartbreaking moments, Maria's story becomes a reflection of the struggle between duty and desire. Faced with crucial decisions, she must find her own place in a world that seems to be crumbling around her, just before the rise of Nazism forever alters Germany's cultural landscape. The film paints a poignant portrait of the search for identity and the fight for freedom during a time of tumultuous change.