… verdammt, ich bin erwachsen

The film centers on Klaus, nicknamed Kurbel, who believes he has reached adulthood by drinking rhubarb wine and experiencing his first kiss. However, his youthful bravado leads to a significant mistake when his new lawn mowing technique inadvertently causes a forest fire. This incident triggers a chain of events that results in a fallout with his girlfriend, Daniela, pushing Klaus to confront the responsibilities he has been avoiding.

Set against the backdrop of a changing landscape due to mining, Klaus's journey is one of self-discovery as he forms friendships with a teacher and a construction worker. These relationships provide him with a sense of understanding and challenge him to take responsibility for his actions. The film's exploration of love, family, and the loss of one's environment resonates with themes common in youth cinema of the era.