Julia lebt

GDR border guard Gunter Rist is a young man from humble homes. During a swimming competition he meets Penny, a professor′s daughter from a good family, and they fall in love. However, their different social backgrounds get in the way of their happiness: Penny′s friends make it obvious that they are not willing to accept Gunter in their group. Although Penny takes Gunter′s side, she doubts if love can overcome all obstacles. In this state, she falls for the advances of her ex-boyfriend Bob and joins him on vacation. In the meantime, Gunter has an accident and is hospitalized. In the hospital, he meets the nurse Li who seems to be perfect for him. They are happy for a while, but then one day Penny reappears and asks Gunter to come back to her, claiming that she needs him. Although Li is pregnant with his child, she lets the young soldier go. Gunter, however, is refused the chance to make a final decision between Penny and Li. He is struck by a hostile bullet while on duty.