It is 1923 when Franz Kafka (Sabin Tambrea) and Dora Diamant (Henriette Confurius) meet by chance on the Baltic coast. The two couldn't seem more different: He is the man of letters of the world who spends a lot of time in his thoughts, she is a down-to-earth dancer. But their apparent differences do not prevent them from embarking on their love affair. However, their fledgling happiness is soon given a best-before date, as Kafka's health is very poor. The two have only one year together before Kafka's body gives up and he dies, leaving Dora behind.