To escape his crumbling marriage, German journalist Laschen travels to Beirut during the fights between Christians and Palestinians to produce an essay. Together with his photographer, he meets some influential people and discovers the everyday face of the war.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Bruno GanzGeorg Laschen | Georg Laschen |
 Hanna SchygullaAriane Nassar | Ariane Nassar |
 Jerzy SkolimowskiHoffmann | Hoffmann |
 Jean CarmetRudnik | Rudnik |
 Gila von WeitershausenGreta Laschen | Greta Laschen |
 Peter Martin UrtelBerger | Berger |
| JJohn MunroJohn | John |
| FFouad NaimExcellence Joseph | Excellence Joseph |
| JJosette KhalilMadame Joseph | Madame Joseph |
 Ghassan MatarAhmed | Ahmed |
| SSarah SalemSister Brigitte | Sister Brigitte |
| RRafic Najmtaxi | taxi |
| MMagnia FakhouryAïcha | Aïcha |
| JJack Diagilaitasswedish journalist | swedish journalist |
 Roger Assafphalangist officer | phalangist officer |
| HHakmeh Abou Aliwoman hostage | woman hostage |
| HHassan HusseinyMr. Ghorayeb | Mr. Ghorayeb |
| IIsaaf HusseinyMrs. Ghorayeb | Mrs. Ghorayeb |
| WWassim Soubraphalangist pianist | phalangist pianist |
| WWally Nachabydoctor | doctor |
| MMohamed Kalachpalestinian speaker | palestinian speaker |
 Hans Häckermannsenior editor | senior editor |
 Hans Peter Korffeditor | editor |
| JJoachim Dietmar Mueseditor | editor |
| WWolfgang Kaveneditor | editor |