In the Austrian Alps around 1900, nobody knows exactly how old the orphan Andreas Egger is when he arrives in the valley at Kranzstocker's farm. For the God-fearing but violent farmer, he is good at best as a cheap helper. Only the old ancestor shows him some care. When she dies, nothing holds the now grown-up Egger back. Brimming with strength and determination, he joins a work party that is building one of the first cable cars, which will also bring electricity and tourists to the valley. With his savings, Egger leases a simple wooden hut from the landlord high up in the mountains, where he makes a home for himself and the love of his life, Marie. But their happiness together is short-lived. The Second World War breaks out, Egger is called up, is taken prisoner by the Soviets and only returns to the valley many years later. There, Marie is very close to him one last time and the old Egger looks back in amazement at the years that lie behind him ...
The visually stunning film adaptation of the novel of the same name by exceptional writer Robert Seethaler is directed by Hans Steinbichler. The original book, published in 2014, turned out to be a literary sensation. It tells the deprived life story of Andreas Egger, who suffers violence, war and poverty over eight decades. But there are always moments of happiness and a great love that turn Egger into a man who is content with his life and the few things he has.