What Is 1st of May: All Belongs to You About?
The premise of 1st of May: All Belongs to You in 292 words, with nothing given away. The full story follows below.
Berlin’s Kreuzberg district transforms each year into a pressure cooker of sound, colour and restless energy as the city’s May Day celebrations surge through its streets. The neighbourhood, famous for its fierce protests and tightly‑knit community, becomes a stage where personal hopes and societal tensions collide, creating an atmosphere that feels both electrifying and unsettling. Against this backdrop the film follows three distinct lives that converge amid the tumult.
Uwe is a provincial police officer dispatched to the capital to help keep the crowded demonstrations under control. While he navigates the chaotic swirl of the crowd, he also wrestles with private disquiet, a strained marriage that lingers in his thoughts even as he walks the line between authority and uncertainty. His presence offers a glimpse into the challenges faced by those tasked with maintaining order in a city that pulses with dissent.
Jacob and Pelle are two middle‑class youths from a quiet town who arrive in Berlin hoping for an adventure that will break the monotony of their everyday lives. Their curiosity pulls them between the roles of observers and participants, and their interactions with the bustling city reveal a youthful yearning to test boundaries while still feeling out of place in a world that feels both foreign and magnetic.
Yavuz, an eleven‑year‑old Turkish boy, arrives with his older brother seeking a rite of passage through the day’s frenzy. He is eager to prove his growing sense of masculinity and belonging, and his path leads him to an unexpected encounter with an older resident, Harry, whose protective instincts add another layer to the day’s complex tapestry. Together, these characters move through a day where the city’s pulse mirrors their inner turmoil, setting the stage for moments of connection, confrontation and quiet revelation.
What Happens in 1st of May: All Belongs to You?
The complete story of 1st of May: All Belongs to You, from the first scene to the last, in 249 words (about 1 minute). Spoilers throughout. Names in the text link to 5 cast member pages.
Spoilers ahead
Three stories unfold across a single day in Berlin, each tracing a different path into the May Day chaos: Uwe, Benjamin Höppner the provincial police officer, is deployed to the city to help crowd-control the demonstrations, but his private life is strained by a betrayal at home. He wades into the street action and ends up in the line of fire when a water cannon hits the crowd and leaves him with a broken nose.
Jacob, Jacob Matschenz and Pelle, Ludwig Trepte — two middle-class youths from Minden — travel to Berlin hoping for something dramatic; they oscillate between being curious tourists and potential rioters. Their attempt to score drugs proves more difficult than expected, turning their excursion into a test of nerve and judgment.
Yavuz, Cemal Subasi is an eleven-year-old boy determined to grow up quickly, to prove his masculinity, and to take part in May Day turmoil with his brother. On his path through the chaos he meets an older man, Harry, Peter Kurth, and the two strike up a dynamic where the elder man looks after him while they build a street barricade together. Harry’s protective instincts grow as the day unfolds.
By nightfall, the stories intersect in a Kreuzberg hospital, where the day’s events bind these disparate lives in a shared moment of vulnerability and resilience. The film offers a nuanced look at a city that is vibrant and chaotic, once torn between innocence and experience, as mayhem and humanity collide in a single day.
1st of May: All Belongs to You Timeline: Every Key Event in Order
14 key events in the order they happen, from “Uwe's conflict at home and deployment” to “All paths cross and the day closes”. 14 events name a place, across 9 locations.
- 1
Uwe's conflict at home and deployment
Uwe, a provincial police officer, is confronted with his wife cheating on him as he prepares for a shift. The personal betrayal compounds the stress of his upcoming duty. He is dispatched with his unit to Berlin to help manage the May Day demonstrations.
When:May Day morning Where:Home, then Berlin
- 2
To Berlin with the crowd control unit
Uwe and his colleagues travel to Berlin to take up their posts for crowd control during May Day. The atmosphere is tense, mixing police duty with the chaos of the city. He prepares for a day that will challenge his resolve.
When:May Day morning Where:Berlin
- 3
A late detour: a brothel visit
After hours of travel and mounting stress, Uwe seeks a temporary escape at a brothel. The encounter underscores the frayed boundaries between personal life and duty. The choice to step away from his current turmoil foreshadows further chaos.
When:May Day late morning Where:Berlin
- 4
Caught in the frontline
As demonstrations flare, Uwe finds himself caught between protestors and police lines. The crowd pushes forward, and a water cannon rains down on the frontline. He sustains a nose injury, a stark symbol of the day's violence.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Berlin, near demonstrations
- 5
Jacob and Pelle arrive in Berlin
Jacob and Pelle, two middle-class youths from Minden, travel to Berlin looking for drama and adventure. They drift through the city with uncertain intentions, unsure whether to play it as tourists or rioters. The trip exposes them to the unpredictability of May Day.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Berlin
- 6
A dilemma: tourists or rioters
Jacob and Pelle wrestle with their own identity as the day unfolds. They debate whether to play it safe or dive into the crowd's revelry and risk. The uncertainty pushes them to seek thrills they can later rationalize.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Berlin
- 7
The drug hunt begins
Their attempts to score drugs reveal how much easier the plan sounds than the execution. They encounter pushers, misread signals, and quickly realize that May Day is not a playground. The day grows more unpredictable and dangerous.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Berlin streets
- 8
Yavuz's coming of age wish
Yavuz, an eleven-year-old Turk, longs to grow up and prove himself by joining the May Day turmoil for the first time with his brother. He steps into the sprawling city and the chaos beyond his years. The day becomes a test of his courage and boundaries.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Berlin
- 9
Meeting Harry, the street mentor
On his journey, Yavuz meets old man Harry, who becomes an unlikely guide amid the mayhem. Harry develops protective instincts toward the boy and helps him navigate the perilous streets. Their encounter threads a moment of care through the violence.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Kreuzberg streets
- 10
The barricade takes shape
Harry and Yavuz collaborate to build a street barricade, transforming the boy's appetite for action into a practical act of defiance. The structure becomes a focal point where older and younger generations collide with the day's turmoil. The scene emphasizes intergenerational tension and protection.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Kreuzberg
Show the other 4 events of 1st of May: All Belongs to You Hide the last 4 events
- 11
Harry's protective stance
Harry's protective instincts surface as he guards Yavuz against the dangers around the barricade. The bond between the old man and the boy adds a human counterpoint to the chaos. The pair move through the crowd while staying close to safety.
When:May Day afternoon Where:Kreuzberg streets
- 12
The day converges at the hospital
As the May Day events unfold, all three storylines collide in Kreuzberg's medical facility. Injuries and bruises accumulate, revealing how the day's turmoil leaves no one untouched. The hospital becomes a grim crossroads where different fates intersect.
When:Evening Where:Kreuzberg hospital
- 13
Uwe's aftermath and reflection
Back at the hospital or in nearby streets, Uwe's nose injury anchors the consequences of the frontline chaos. He faces the physical pain and the emotional toll of a day spent divided between duty and temptation. The incident marks a turning point in his perception of the May Day mayhem.
When:Evening Where:Kreuzberg/ Berlin
- 14
All paths cross and the day closes
The city settles into post-crisis quiet as the characters process what they have endured. The ending in Kreuzberg hints at shared trauma and the possibility of connection beyond the day's violence. The film closes with the sense that May Day has remade each of them.
When:Evening Where:Kreuzberg, Berlin
Who Are the Main Characters in 1st of May: All Belongs to You?
5 characters, among them Uwe – Benjamin Höppner, Jacob – Jacob Matschenz and Pelle – Ludwig Trepte: who each one is and the part they play in the story. Every profile links to the actor’s page.
- U–
Uwe – Benjamin Höppner
Played by Benjamin Höppner
Uwe is a provincial police officer sent to Berlin to help manage May Day crowds. His personal life suffers a hit when his wife cheats on him, pushing him toward a moment of vulnerability. He seeks solace at a brothel, blurring the line between duty and desire. On the front lines, he is battered by a water cannon and sustains a nose injury, highlighting the physical costs of the day.
- 🚓 Police
- 💔 Infidelity
- ⚖️ Dilemma
- J–
Jacob – Jacob Matschenz
Played by Jacob Matschenz
Jacob is a middle-class teen from Minden chasing drama in Berlin. He and Pelle oscillate between being tourists and potential rioters, driven by a need for excitement. Their attempt to score drugs proves more challenging than expected, exposing their naivety and the city's real dangers. His arc reflects urban curiosity and the lure of reckless risk.
- 🏙️ Urban life
- 💊 Drugs
- 🤔 Indecision
- P–
Pelle – Ludwig Trepte
Played by Ludwig Trepte
Pelle is Jacob’s fellow traveler, also seeking thrills but sometimes more cautious. He shares the urge for drama while navigating the tensions of a big city and the unexpected consequences of their choices. Pelle’s presence highlights peer dynamics during a volatile day and the line between spectators and participants.
- 🏙️ Urban life
- 💊 Drugs
- 🤝 Friendship
- Y–
Yavuz – Cemal Subasi
Played by Cemal Subasi
Yavuz is an eleven-year-old Turk determined to grow up and prove his masculinity by taking part in May Day with his brother. On his journey through the chaos he meets Harry, with whom he builds a street barricade. Harry’s protective instincts toward the boy show a transfer of guidance and care amid the upheaval.
- 🌍 Immigration
- 🧒 Coming of age
- 💪 Masculinity
-
Harry – Peter Kurth
Played by Peter Kurth
Harry is an older man who forms a protective bond with Yavuz. He steps into a mentorship role, guiding the boy through the street’s dangers and sharing practical wisdom about staying safe amid the day’s chaos. His presence embodies a counterpoint of care and responsibility within the turmoil.
- 👴 Mentorship
- 🛡️ Protection
- 🗺️ Guidance
Where and When Is 1st of May: All Belongs to You Set?
1st of May: All Belongs to You is set in Kreuzberg and Berlin (May Day). Here is why the time and place matter to the story.
When
May Day
The action unfolds over a single day—May 1st—in the midst of urban demonstrations in Berlin. The three stories run in parallel, converging as the city erupts into street clashes and communal tension. The timeframe is tightly bound to this specific day and its immediate consequences.
Where
Kreuzberg, Berlin
Kreuzberg is a central Berlin district that becomes a backdrop for May Day protests, with dense urban streets, barricades, and a mix of locals and migrants. The film portrays the area as a living, chaotic stage where crowds surge and police push back. By day’s end the chaos bleeds into a Kreuzberg hospital, underscoring the human cost of the events.
- 🗺️ Berlin
- 🏙️ Urban
- 🪧 May Day
What Are the Themes of 1st of May: All Belongs to You?
3 ideas the story keeps returning to, among them Protest & Unrest, Coming of Age and Interconnected Fates.
-
01
Protest & Unrest
Three interwoven stories collide in the heat of May Day protests, showing how authority, street life, and personal desires intersect. The film captures the unpredictability of crowds, the lure of drama, and the danger of violence. It explores how a single day can reshape lives and blur lines between spectator and participant.
-
02
Coming of Age
Jacob, Pelle, and Yavuz stand at thresholds of maturity, seeking identity and courage in a chaotic urban landscape. Their pursuit of belonging leads them to make risky choices, testing friendships and loyalties. The narrative frames adolescence against upheaval, highlighting both the costs and gifts of growing up fast.
-
03
Interconnected Fates
Despite separate beginnings, the characters’ paths converge by day’s end, revealing shared humanity across generations and backgrounds. The stories weave together in a Kreuzberg hospital, underscoring that personal struggles ripple outward into the community. Mentorship, solidarity, and chance encounters shape outcomes in times of crisis.
What Kind of Film Is 1st of May: All Belongs to You?
Tense in tone, with steady pacing and a complex story, going by the plot summary.
- Tone
- Tense
- Pacing
- Steady
- Story
- Complex
- Intensity
- High
- Ending
- Mixed
A tense and gritty multi-narrative drama that immerses viewers in the chaotic atmosphere of urban protest, following disparate characters as they navigate personal turmoil and social disillusionment.
- gritty
- anxious
- urban turmoil
- disillusioned
- searching
- confrontational
- social unrest
- coming of age
- disillusionment
- multi-narrative
Content notes: police brutality, riots, infidelity, drug use.
Quiz
How well do you remember 1st of May: All Belongs to You? Test yourself on the story.
