Der Händler der Vier Jahreszeiten (The Merchant of Four Seasons)

Hans Epp is a fruit peddler, with too few brains and a serious shortage of luck. His empty existence is a sad ritual of arguing with his wife, drinking excessively, and lamenting lost personal and professional opportunities. One evening, he becomes physically abusive, causing Irmgard to flee to his mother’s house with their daughter. His mother is an unaffectionate woman who has never concealed her disappointment in Hans, and his recent violence only strengthens her disdain. His younger sister, Anna, attempts to expose the family’s cruelty towards the equally wounded Hans, but to no avail. While attempting to convince Irmgard into returning home, Hans suffers a serious heart attack. Unable to work, he employs an ex-lover of his wife. Fearing exposure of her indiscretion, she manipulates Anzell into overpricing the produce and Hans fires him for embezzling. Then he meets Harry, a close friend who once saved his life in the Foreign Legion, and offers him a job.