1930s Berlin. Dr. Jakob Fabian, who works by day in advertising for a cigarette company and by night wanders the streets of the city, falls in love with an actress. As her career begins to blossom, prospects for his future begin to wane.

El artista alemán Kurt Barnert se ha escapado de Alemania Oriental y ahora vive en Alemania Occidental, pero está atormentado por su infancia bajo los nazis.