Max Frisch was the last big Swiss intellectual widely respected as a “voice” in its own right – a character hardly found today. The film retells Frisch’s story as a witness of the unfolding 20th century, wondering if such “voices” are needed at all, or if we could do without them.

Belgian customs officer Ruben hates the French. When the Schengen Agreement abolishes customs controls at the borders, a world collapses for him. Ruben's French professional colleague and long-time arch-enemy Mathias is plagued by other worries. He is in love with Ruben's sister and fears that his love could fail because of the excessive patriotism of his Belgian colleague. He makes a plan to win Ruben over.