In the aftermath of World War I, shoemaker Julius Kraus (Josef Hader) lives a secluded life in an Upper Bavarian village. He keeps his Jewish heritage a secret. As political events escalate between 1918 and Hitler's rise to power in 1933, social divisions within the village community deepen. The mayor's son, Silvan Heingeiger (Frederic Linkemann), in particular, rails against all "Reds" and Jews. He not only resents shoemaker Kraus, but also his own sister Elies (Verena Altenberger) and her illegitimate son Peter (Max Jung). He has also sworn mortal enmity against young Ludwig Allberger (Sebastian Bezzel), known in the village as a "Red." Mayor Heingeiger (Sigi Zimmerschied) tries to rein in his son. But Silvan does not back down, allies himself with like-minded nationalists and eventually becomes an SA stormtrooper.