Two brothers grow up in the Saxon province (part of Germany) at the turn of the millennium, where the dream of family happiness in a new house quickly turns into a nightmare of decay, violence and xenophobia as they desperately search for stability and belonging.

The musically talented, but socially challenged Henry (14) arrives at a private boarding school for music students at the beginning of a new school year. There, he unexpectedly discovers his fascination with playing the organ. From the fascination, a general love arise for the instrument, the playing of which offer Henry a refuge from the bullying that his fellow students puts him through. His teacher Ms. Schmidt recognizes his talent. Her growing interest in Henry, however, further worsens his position with his roommates Erik, Mik and Sebi. Erik feels that his status as the school's prodigy is threatened, his talent as an organ player has saved him from relegation for years. Erik rules the school and is together with Melanie, who has had Henry under her spell, since he first arrived at the school. Erik and his minions Sebi and Mik, do all they can to make Henry's life a living hell.

East Germany 1992: Moritz Schmidtke (12) is spending his holidays at the same campground as every year. His parent’s problems, the changes made by a new political system, and brutal swimming lessons have left their mark. When Enrico has an accident, Moritz is inspired to take matters into his own hands, and to no longer be a victim of his environment. LYCHEN 92 is an adaptation of the short story ELMER by Andreas Steinhöfel, set in the post-reign of East Germany.

Gisela involuntarily ends up studying in the cosmopolitan city of Chemnitz. There she meets her friends Jana, Fred and Meryam, with whom she spends her nights out, fights with Nazis, eventually founds the band Superbusen and, through music, hopes to find answers to all the problems life throws at her.