In present day East London, Will Kane (Tom Bird) is a med. school drop out, and existential loner whose hate of the system has led him to drifting into low and high line crime capers, with best bud Ricky Hammond (John Enthoven) in tow. With action in short supply, they agree to take a mule job from reliable French connection Pierre, who is doing small drug jobs for two East-End gangsters, who also happen to be local rivals: Tudor Barro and Willie C. (James Arden).

New York Times reporter Sydney Schanberg is on assignment covering the Cambodian Civil War, with the help of local interpreter Dith Pran and American photojournalist Al Rockoff. When the U.S. Army pulls out amid escalating violence, Schanberg makes exit arrangements for Pran and his family. Pran, however, tells Schanberg he intends to stay in Cambodia to help cover the unfolding story — a decision he may regret as the Khmer Rouge rebels move in.