Beyond the Moon is based on a true story that took place in January 1903 when twelve German fishermen stranded their ship on a remote south coast of Iceland. Together with that story is intertwined the fictional personal story of one of the crew - Erich.

For eleven days, the men searched shelter and rescue on black desert sand that was surrounded by impassable glaciers, glacial rivers, and quicksand that could swallow both humans and animals.

Two of them died and one disappeared. Finally, when all hope seemed lost, nine of them found a shelter on an isolated Icelandic farm. Because of life-threatening frost damages, five of them were amputated on the dinner table at the farm.

Erich lost both his feet.

When he, five months later, returned home to Germany, he was faced with new challenges, alleged rejection, and fraud.

The story is based e.g. on the newfound memories of the ship's captain.