Hans Ulrich

Mother Wolffen, a washerwoman, is a woman of principle: A poor man must do what he must to get through life, only he mustn't get caught doing it. All sorts of crooked deals contribute to the improvement of the daily menu and the increase of household funds. When everyone is searching for pensioner Krueger's missing beaverskin coat, Mother Wolffen and her family are calmly enjoying fresh roast venison.

After World War II, scores of refugees leave in search of a new home. They now stand in the hall of a large mansion, waiting to receive their deeds of ownership for sections of land that the lord of the manor had left behind after he fled. Among them is young Jeruscheit who, during her travels, had to bury one of her own children. Her husband has been declared missing, and up until now she has had little purpose in life. But then she discovers it: to work, to build, and to help others. And maybe someday Jeruscheit will find her family.

Set against the backdrop of post-war Germany, Der Illegale follows the story of a young man named Stefan who, after being arrested for deserting the army, finds himself in the country’s illegal labor market. As he attempts to start a new life, he faces not only the challenges of survival but also a world where trust is rare, and every action carries immense risks. Through Stefan's journey, the film explores themes of power, survival, and the lengths one will go to in order to escape the clutches of an unforgiving system. The Illegal is a gritty and realistic look at the underbelly of life in a divided Germany during a time of political tension and social upheaval.