The film tells the early life story of Marcel Reich-Ranicki, who was born in Wloclawek, Poland in 1920. During the Third Reich, the family was in great danger. Nevertheless, he returned to Germany with his wife.
| Actor | Role |
|---|---|
 Matthias SchweighöferMarcel Reich-Ranicki | Marcel Reich-Ranicki |
 Katharina SchüttlerTosia | Tosia |
 Maja MaranowHelene Reich | Helene Reich |
 Joachim KrólDavid Reich | David Reich |
 Sylvester GrothKawalerowicz | Kawalerowicz |
 Holger HandtkeHermann Höfle | Hermann Höfle |
 Henriette Richter-RöhlAngelika Hurwicz | Angelika Hurwicz |
 Alexander KhuonAleksander Reich | Aleksander Reich |
 Friederike BechtGerda Reich | Gerda Reich |
 Rolf KaniesOnkel Jakub | Onkel Jakub |
 Tino MewesMandelbaum | Mandelbaum |
 Rolf NagelOpa Mannhein | Opa Mannhein |
 Barbara PhilippGenia | Genia |