A man from Ostfriesland travels to Hamburg and sets course for America on a steamship to conquer this New World as well. What he leaves behind is a swath of devastation, a breach of confusion, a Milky Way full of music, a dead end full of mad jokes and perhaps a touch too much wordplay at the expense of others. But what is worst of all: he has also made a film about it!

Diane Lane is intelligent and ambitious. When she is elected to Parliament her idealism and commitment give her unpopular party a boost. Everyone, including the Prime Minister, is eager to share her limelight. Diane’s ambition is not satisfied with her new position. Diane’s married lover, Barry Robbins, the Minister for Health, is unaware of Diane’s ultimate plan. Her closest friend, Louise Parker, a political journalist, is a bit more realistic about what women can achieve; she too has a higher goal in mind.