For a century and a half, from the start of the 19th century until the end of the 1980s, smuggling was an essential source of income for the often poor inhabitants of the mountain valleys and villages along the Austrian borders.

Mostly small famers from both sides used the different prices of goods in different nations for illegal trade. They crossed the mountains on foot or used hide-outs in trains or cars. A small army of customs officers was sent to the border regions to put an end to these activities – usually without success, the locally well-connected smugglers prevailed. For many smuggling was normal consumer behavior, others risked everything to smuggle refugees over borders.

Kurt Langbein and Judith E. Innerhofer visit the former smuggler or their descendants. The film delves into the everyday life of smugglers and customs officials alike. The personal stories of the protagonists are illustrated with previously unseen Super-8 footage.