Childhood Dreams

1968. The world is on fire and calling for freedom. Authority must bend; everything must change. The same applies to the Wander family, a family living under the grip of a secret. While the eldest daughter Carla wants an abortion, her brother Max is overwhelmed by feelings for a man during the student uprisings in Paris. In the family home in Eindhoven, Suus (16) tries to hold on while their parents seem locked in a frozen relationship. The youngest, Frans (6), seems to keep the family somewhat together.

1972. It turns out that mother Rosalie has had a tumor in her head for two years, which she has never told anyone about. It could be over at any moment and that puts all relationships within the family on edge. After the initial shock, the unspoken accusations and long-held secrets slowly surface. Will the family be able to reconcile with each other before Rosalie's death?

1978. It turns out that father Kick has a secret, which makes it clear to son Max why he has such a strained relationship with his father. When Frans, the wayward younger brother, seeks refuge with Johan of all people, Max takes out his frustration on him. Carla quits her job at the law firm where she works. When father Kick wants his daughter Suus to leave the family home and finally start her own life, it becomes clear which hidden event has plunged the entire family into a pool of sorrow

1985. Carla has founded her own collective of lawyers. She has a tragic accident that has major consequences for her and her relationship with Alex. When Max meets photographer Hans again, he has to fight against his love for him. Suus works in a refugee center and befriends one of the refugees. Frans is active in the squatting movement and meets Marina there. He falls in love with her instantly, but fate strikes.

1989. Carla still struggles with her life after the accident. This has consequences for her relationship with Alex. Max goes to Berlin with his friend and press photographer Hans, where the Wall falls. It's a euphoric experience. But once home, he doesn't want to see Hans anymore. Suus' life is turned upside down when her friend Miriam receives bad news. For a moment, Suus seems to find comfort with Father Louis. The youngest of the family, Frans, has become a soldier.

1994. Frans leaves as a UNMO (United Nations Military Observer) to the war in former Yugoslavia. Together with Frenchman Patrick, he is taken hostage by Serbs. Something gruesome unfolds. Suus goes to Syria in search of Miriam because she can't get in touch with her anymore. Max asks his sister Carla for help, but she refuses. When Frans comes home, his family is waiting for him. Frans will never tell them what happened.

2001. Max travels to Syria. Miriam tells him how Suus has been plagued her whole life by guilt over a secret she carried with her. Max is stunned. Father Kick is suffering from dementia. Frans is plagued by nightmares about the war. Charlie is a rebellious, pot-smoking teenager who is always with her best friend Hicham. After the 9/11 attacks, Charlie gets into yet another conflict with her mother.

2005. Charlie has no idea what to do with herself and her life. She also misses her grandfather. Max reconnects with Hans after years. Frans sees Charlie struggling with herself and her parents and gives her the key to his house; he's hardly ever there anyway. When Charlie seems to disappear, her mother searches everywhere and eventually ends up at Frans' house. Carla draws the wrong conclusion.

2006. We witness a heated argument between Carla and Charlie, which leads to Charlie leaving the house. Frans asks Johan to accompany him to France to deliver a letter to the mother of Patrick, the man he was held hostage with twelve years earlier. He finally shares with her what happened in Yugoslavia. Charlie uses so many drugs that she hits rock bottom. Thanks to her friend Hisham, she makes a brave decision. Their friendship becomes even stronger because of it. Charlie decides to attend a family weekend. She's not sure what to expect, but she knows she wants to see her mother.