The neighbors welcome him with open arms, a lot of curiosity and a fair amount of skepticism. The phone book-thick set of rules is his smallest challenge. Especially Gregor, a neighbor with a penchant for neatly trimmed hedges and nationalist ideas, casts his eagle eye on the American.

Also hiding in what was once the "most beautiful garden" in the entire colony is Adam, a refugee from Ethiopia, who faces deportation if he is discovered. The two young men become friends and make a pact not to tell anyone about Adam's existence.

DATSCHE is inspired by the experiences of British director Lara Hewitt in German small garden settlements.