Martha Ludwig

Germany in the 1920s. Martha Dehnert is a petite young girl nicknamed Krümel and grows up in a working-class family in Potsdam. Despite difficult times, she is passionate about her ideals.

The young architect Hannelore becomes part of the all-male brigade Fröhlich whose members are supposed to build houses at the Strausberger Platz in Berlin. The brigade men drink a lot of beer and are less than thrilled about the new girl. Hanne is the only one who is absolutely delighted with Hannelore. When he starts a drunken fight on May Day, he is arrested and accused of armed robbery. Hannelore immediately convinces the other men in the brigade to help Hanne.