Traces of Stones - Plot Synopsis

Plot Synopsis

The film revolves around three characters. Hannes Balla is a talented, yet vulgar construction foreman. He leads a crew of about 20, all of which dress and act in a similarly delinquent fashion, to head a state-funded construction project. The Party sends secretary Werner Horrath to keep on eye on the construction site and get Balla to calm down. Entering the situation is Kati Klee, an ambitious technician who has come to the construction project against the advice of her superiors. What forms is a love triangle set against the personal politics of "The Party" as well as the work the three are supposed to be doing in benefit of the state. While the romance is the main focus of the film, socialist politics, particularly those working against corruption, lie prominently in the background. The party struggles to clean its ranks of the "morally defective" in order to get their projects done. In the end, the love triangle collapses while the lives of all three are worse because of it, ending with no one getting what they want. Not only that, but the work they were supposed to be doing suffered as a result. The film portrays going against the tenets of socialism as having a negative effect on their lives. By the end, they all realize this. Particularly Balla, who has matured greatly since the beginning of the film. He has become a much more disciplined socialist citizen. Overall, the portrayal of the party is a neutral one. They seem to be a nuisance, but in the end their existence is seen as justified. Balla is at first very critical of the party, but by the end has come to accept their role. While the film doesn't celebrate the party's role, it does not condemn it either. More importantly, the system of socialism is ultimately seen as a beneficial one.