Werner Nekes is a leading contemporary experimental film maker. His work includes numerous avant-garde films that received many awards and distinctions. Closely related to his cinematographic work is his very substantial cinematographic collection, spanning about 40,000 objects ranging from the early days of cinema to phenomena of visual perception - a collection that is truly unique in the world. This film shows a cross-section of Nekes' films and reveals some particularly intriguing treasures from his collection. In conversations with Alexander Kluge, Nekes reveals his profound knowledge of cinematography and his lifelong and abiding interest in exploring the concept of perception. The film also looks at his close collaboration with Helge Schneider and Christoph Schlingensief.

The film takes up the challenge of not only capturing the important work of Nekes, but also of building a deeper understanding through the person of Nekes, through the exploration of his roots, his environment and his personality. Personal encounters and active work formed the basis for making Nekes' film work and special treasures of his collection tangible. We experience how closely Nekes lived between the images that surrounded him and those he created himself. In conversations with Alexander Kluge, Nekes shows himself to be a competent film scholar and a busy explorer of perception. The film also deals with the close collaboration with Helge Schneider and Christoph Schlingensief.