Hildegard Knef: world star, style icon, grand dame of chanson, the last German diva, opinionated, controversial, both mirror and antithesis of her time. At the age of 20, she entered the German public eye and never stepped out of it. In this cinematic autobiography, I Want It All presents the portrait of a highly talented, ambitious, laconic, and astute woman who showed the world how to survive both fame and defeat.

Hildegard's daughter reflects on and shares memories of her mother's past. A narrator reads excerpts from Knef's autobiography, voicing her past thoughts. When the autobiographical nature of the song lyrics is revealed, archival footage of past performances gains fresh significance. Knef's all—encompassing desires, along with the national identity, era, and social context that negatively affected her, are revealed through past interview footage and newspaper clippings. The film carefully selects and connects materials to illuminate Knef's temperament, philosophy, words, gestures, songs, and life. Aware that she can only be an intruder, the daughter cautiously retraces the footsteps left behind. (Lee Wanmin)