Ein ganzes Leben

The film adaptation of Robert Seethaler's novel of the century

In the Austrian Alps around 1900, nobody knows exactly how old the orphan Andreas Egger is when he arrives in the valley on the farm of Kranzstocker (Andreas Lust). For the God-fearing but violent farmer, he is good at best as a cheap helper. Only old Ahnl (Marianne Sägebrecht) shows him some care. When she dies, nothing holds the now grown-up Egger (Stefan Gorski) 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 rents a simple wooden hut high up in the mountains from the landlord (Robert Stadlober), where he makes a home for himself and the love of his life, Marie (Julia Franz Richter). 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 (August Zirner) looks back in amazement at the years that lie behind him ...