On a busy street in the stark light of day of Paris, a young man ruthfully belittles a beggar woman by throwing his rubbish into her, pleading, outstretched hands. This is the brief occurrence that propels and links several very different characters which include, Anne (Academy Award Winner Juliette Binoche) an actress who is in the final throes of her relationship with war photographer Georges; her farmer father and brother Jean, who contrary to his Father’s wishes has no intention of inheriting the farm; Amadou, a music teacher for deaf mute children, and his family who originate from Africa; and Maria a Romanian immigrant.
