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This is surely not how the German Romantic poet and philosopher Friedrich von Hardenberg (known by his pen name Novalis) would like to be remembered – by a giant poo in a chamber pot. But that is the lingering image in this absurdist comedy-drama from Julian Radlmaier, which is mostly set in the present day, but begins in the late 18th century where a rebellious teenage maid called Lotte (Paula Schindler) is sick of cleaning up after haughty aristocrats. Inspired by the French Revolution, Lotte sticks two fingers up at up the lot of them and takes off on a Bonnie and Clyde adventure, which does not end well for her. It’s an enigmatic opening to a strange and funny film, bittersweet with visual gags and a political point to make.

It’s set in the scenic German town of Sangerhausen, and features four interlocking stories about people who feel trapped in their lives, longing for more. After Lotte, we land with a bump in the 21st century where Ursula (Clara Schwinning) is working two jobs, cleaning in the mornings followed by waitressing in a cafe. It’s a case of different century, same gender and class barriers – and there is a surge of sadness as she remembers the night she got pregnant, her entire life shaped by a moment when she was 18. Schwinning’s sensitive sympathetic performance is the heart of the film. Ursula bunks off work to spend the day with a trio of classical musicians who are in town to perform at a concert.

It is peak tourist season in Sangerhausen, home to the world’s largest rose garden, gothic architecture and, in the film at least, a nasty strain of anti-immigrant nationalism. Our next character Neda (Maral Keshavarz) is an aspiring travel influencer from Iran who puts up with snide comments as she films the town for her YouTube channel. The final character is the least developed, tour guide Sung-nam (Kyung-Taek Lie). Each of these people wander in and out of each other’s stories and meet up at the end for a strange and dreamlike adventure that, like rest of the film, pulls off quirky without being irritating or silly.

• Phantoms of July is at the ICA, London, from 1 May.