Set in occupied France during World War II, the story follows Lucien, a young peasant who yearns for a more exciting and meaningful life. After an encounter with the Gestapo, he finds himself embroiled in a world of betrayals and shifting loyalties. Initially, he chooses to enlist on the collaborationist side, seeking a way to escape the monotony of his rural existence. However, his path leads him into morally ambiguous territory, where decisions are difficult and consequences are devastating.
As Lucien becomes entangled with a group of Jewish resistance fighters, his relationship with a young Jewish woman named France evolves into a complex bond that challenges his loyalties. As tensions rise and the hunting of Jews intensifies, Lucien faces a dilemma: should he continue down the path of collaboration, or will he risk everything to help those who are being persecuted? The film explores Lucien's internal struggle as he navigates a world fraught with power dynamics and distrust, where every choice has tragic repercussions.
With a tense and oppressive atmosphere, the narrative unfolds in a distinctly dark historical context, allowing for deep reflection on morality, war, and identity. Lucien's struggle is not only against the external enemy but also against his own demons and desires, in a quest to find his place in a chaotic world.