Ostkreuz

Germany, before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Together with her mother, 15-year-old Elfie flees to the West via Hungary. Since they are completely penniless, they initially find shelter in a desolate reception camp in West Berlin. Hoping to improve their living situation, the mother enters into an affair with a small businessman. Elfie, meanwhile, tries to raise enough money through petty racketeering to be able to afford an apartment. During her forays, she meets Edmund, a man of the same age who finds himself in a similarly hopeless situation. Hesitantly, the two become closer. And when Elfie has finally raised the money for a rent deposit, she separates from her mother to make a new start with Edmund.