In 1993 Helmut R, a 23-year-old Austrian, fought in the Yugoslav Civil War as a mercenary for the Croatian army. 15 years later, in the documentary Urlaub vom Frieden, he talks about his experiences in the conflict area, and explains his reasons for volunteering. The film concentrates exclusively on him as protagonist, and paints a candid picture of military reality and violence, without catharsis or simple glorification.