Inspired by Italian Neorealism and Jean-Luc Godard, Jürgen Böttcher, a painter from the Dresden School, developed a sensitive style characterized by social observation and poetic verse in his only narrative feature film. After newlyweds Alfred and Lisa decide to divorce, the soon-to-be ex-husband takes a few days off to clear his head, wandering through Berlin and meeting strangers.

This GDR version of cinema verité allows viewers a glimpse into the physically demanding and dangerous work of experienced shunters, workers who spend their days hooking up, unhooking, and bringing to a halt enormous freight cars.