Set against the diverse backdrop of Paris, the story unfolds through a series of interconnected lives that intersect during a single moment of tension on a busy street. Anne, an actress, is on her way home when she encounters her boyfriend's brother, Jean, who has just run away from his father's farm. In a moment of impulsive frustration, Jean discards a crumpled paper bag into the lap of Maria, a Romanian immigrant begging on the sidewalk. This seemingly trivial act sparks a confrontation involving Amadou, an African music teacher who steps in to defend Maria, leading to their detainment by the police. The incident serves as the catalyst for exploring themes of misunderstanding and miscommunication among different social strata.

The narrative fragments into distinct but related storylines, all reflecting the characters' struggles with identity, isolation, and connection. Anne faces the existential challenges posed by her career and relationship with Georges, a photojournalist often absent due to his work. Maria is deported back to Romania, where she faces her own set of hardships, while Amadou deals with personal and societal conflicts as an immigrant in France. Each story is told through brief glimpses and incomplete interactions, emphasizing the barriers that prevent true understanding between individuals. As the film progresses, it becomes evident that these characters' lives are subtly intertwined by their shared search for meaning and belonging in an increasingly fragmented world.