Barbara

Barbara begins her new post in pediatric surgery at the small rural hospital near the Baltic Sea, leaving the prestige of Charité behind. She remains under surveillance by the Stasi due to her Ausreiseantrag and uncertain fate. The atmosphere is tense as she starts work in a provincial setting.

When the authorities cannot locate her for hours, the Stasi raid her apartment and subject her to a strip-search and cavity-search. The intrusive punishment underscores the extent of surveillance Barbara faces in daily life.

Barbara works under chief physician André Reiser in the pediatric surgery department, where his presence shapes her daily routine. Reiser shares a troubling story about losing his job after an incubator accident that left two premature infants blind, hinting at the compromises he has made. The past casts a shadow over their professional relationship.

Reiser begins reporting on people suspected by the Stasi, becoming a conduit for the regime's watchlist. Barbara finds herself under his gaze as her case and movements are scrutinized.

Stella, a runaway from a labour camp, is brought to the hospital, and Reiser suspects she is malingering. Barbara intervenes by ordering the removal of restraints and quickly diagnosing meningitis. Stella forms a bond with Barbara, who treats her with a compassionate bedside manner.

Barbara begins secret bicycle trips to stash funds for her escape and to reach the woods where she meets her West German lover, Jörg. These secret journeys build her plan for leaving East Germany, away from prying eyes.

Barbara meets Jörg in the woods, who outlines his plan for her escape. He has arranged access to prized goods for barter and later confirms a boat departure time, planning to take her across the Baltic to Denmark through an Interhotel transaction.

Barbara discovers that a critically ill patient named Mario needs urgent brain surgery, not just the initial head injury. She tracks Reiser to the home of the Stasi agent overseeing her, where he is treating the agent's wife, and convinces him to return to the hospital that night so the operation can proceed with her as anesthesiologist. She remains torn between the impending escape and her professional duty.

Reiser invites Barbara to lunch at his home, where he cooks for her and hints at happiness in having her there. She experiences a moment of attraction, but ultimately resists, returning to her escape preparations.

That night, Stella flees the labour camp again and Barbara helps her reach the agreed meeting point on the beach. They await a smuggler and a skin diver who will help Stella escape by sea. Barbara even writes a note (likely to Jörg) explaining why she has chosen to let Stella escape instead of going herself.

Barbara returns to the hospital after assisting Stella and sits across from a tired Mario's bedside, reflecting on her choices. She has made up her mind to remain in the East and stay with Reiser, rather than attempting another escape.

In the final moment, Barbara and Reiser meet eyes across Mario's bed, understanding a shared future in the East. The film closes on this intimate decision to stay, signaling a new, uncertain chapter under the regime.