On a busy Parisian street, Anne (Juliette Binoche), an actress on the brink of success, bumps into Jean (Alexander Hamidi), the younger brother of her non-committal war photographer partner Georges (Neuvic). After disclosing that he has run away from his father's farm, Jean insults Maria (Luminita Georghiu), a Romanian illegal immigrant by dropping his rubish into her lap as she begs.

The incident, which leads to Maria's deportation, is spotted by Amadou (Yenke), a teacher of deaf children who angrily remonstrates with Jean. It is an incident which briefly links the lives of five very different people.

"The most intellectually stimulating and emotionally provocative piece of European cinea of recent times."
-Richard Falcon, SIGHT AND SOUND--

"Dazzling! Riveting! Stunning!Ó
-Leighton Klein, BOSTON GLOBE

"European cinema at its very best."
- Karin Hartusch, THE BBC