Vienna, 1920. The Austro-Hungarian Empire has collapsed. Peter Perg returns home from the Great War, after seven years as a Russian POW. Vienna is experiencing the multiplicity of political, social and artistic freedom, but also the rise of anti-democratic movements, insecurity and unemployment. Peter, a former police inspector, feels like a stranger in the new Austrian Republic. While wanting to leave town, Peter is confronted with the murder of one of his former comrades. He decides to stay and instead bring the killer to justice. His ally is Dr. Theresa Körner, a determined and cool-headed forensic doctor. The two are linked not only by this case, but also by a deeper, shared history. As their investigation progresses, they realise that they are not just up against a systematic killer, who tortures his victims, but also face disapproval and intrigue from within the police force. Though determined to solve the crime, Peter, harbouring his own secrets, increasingly becomes tormented by existential questions What is truth What is heroism in the time of war And all the while he fails to see the mounting danger before him.
遥远的南美洲巴西，经营照相馆的高桥（伊原刚志 饰）和为日裔儿童担当教师的妻子美雪（常盘贵子 饰）过着平静幸福的生活。但置身于第二次世界大战的背景下，任何幸福都脆弱不堪。虽然日本投降消息传来，可是以渡边大佐（奥田瑛二 饰）为首的绝大多数日本人拒不相信这个事实，加上鲜少有人听懂葡语新闻，他们更相信这只是帝国的宣传诡计。所有接受战败事实的日本人都被冠以“国贼”的罪名，而高桥则被渡边委以重任，负责肃清那些动摇军心民心的叛徒…… 背景介绍：二次大战后巴西日本侨民的“胜组”肃清行动造成总计23人死亡，147人受伤，381被捕的惨剧。记者费尔南多•莫莱斯根据该事件创作了《肮脏的心》，本片根据该书改编。
一名阿根廷历史女教师原本对政治不闻不问，天真地相信课本上的一切。直到她怀疑自己的养女是一名政治犯的女儿，才开始关注这个国家的动荡现实。在调查女儿真实身份的过程中，她一步步揭露了政治腐败的真相，她对幸福生活的狭隘幻想破灭了。