Summer, 1980. Barbara, a doctor, has applied for an exit visa from East Germany. Now, as punishment, she has been transferred from Berlin to a small, remote hospital out in the country. Jörg, her lover from the West, has started planning her escape.

So Barbara waits, keeping to herself. Working as a pediatric surgeon under her new boss Andre, she is attentive with her patients, but distanced from her colleagues. Her life will begin later.

But Andre confuses her and arouses her suspicions. His confidence in her professional abilities, his caring attitude, his smile. Why does he cover for her when she helps the young runaway Sarah? Is he spying on her? As the day of her planned escape quickly approaches, Barbara starts to lose control. Over herself, her plans, over love.