It’s 1984 and 19-year-old Melanie (Anna Fischer), forced to stay at a dismal clinic due to a severe eye disease, attempts to defy her dreary surroundings with her sexy dresses and a lot of makeup. Her condition could lead to blindness without expensive therapy and drugs, but Mel dreams of freedom in the West, and she is convinced that she could be treated there as well. But she only has the new doctor, Carlo Sanchez (Pasquale Aleardi), as a glimmer of hope. She flirts with the married Cuban, who quickly falls in love with her and, thanks to him, Mel is even examined by a renowned professor. But the test, which is so important to her, is not approved. The young woman collapses. When Carlo's plans to escape are revealed, Carlo tries to spy on the couple on behalf of the Stasi, a race between life and death, love and freedom begins...