Knut Storlien walks over the mountain on his way home to his parents' farm after several years in South America. He does not quite remember the road and gets help from Inga, who lives on a farm nearby. They witness how Inga's brother kills a man who owes money.

Based upon true events and the novel by Gabriel Scott about terrible conditions in a foster family.

André is a loser. He dreams of becoming a great writer and being sought after by wonderful women. To make something interesting happen in his life he visits political meetings.

An orphan, Josefa, runs away from her threatening uncle with whom she is living, and stows away on traveller Fændrik's boat. She is no better off with him, however, as he forces himself on her and makes her steal and beg for a living. Meanwhile Fændrik's sister, who has been left penniless on shore by her deceitful brother, joins forces with Josefa's fiancé, Oscar, in a search for the missing pair.

In the difficult 30'ies, the poor working family Jensen is struggling in affording their sons education, and it ends in tragedy. The son befriends the daughter of the, not liked by the rich employer West, which sends his daughter away.

Two strange street musicians end up in jail and exchange sexy stories to while away time.

Street musician Markus goes from town to town earning money on accordion for a fee. He becomes popular with the boys in the street and also with Vivian who becomes his girlfriend. One day one of the boys is so unlucky pushing the accordion into a rivere. This causes Markus to lose his livelihood, and with a sick mother his existence is put to the test. It takes 10 boys to do something about. They raise money by putting on a show in the theater and bringing two celebrities to the play.