Gwen is a teenager living in a small coastal town. Lise is her best friend, a city girl who comes every year with her family to spend the summer. This year things are different though; at first Lise might not come at all, and when she does it is obvious that Gwen grew up faster than she did.

A young couple: Victor is a musician, Claire is a secretary in a publishing house. Their daily life seems so disappointing, so monotonous, that they begin to spend their time daydreaming, both creating their own imaginary world. At the office, she writes the story of an heroine's imaginary life. He collects material to compose an opera which glorifies the conquistadors.

"Ambassadors" is a euphemistic name given by the French to Arab "guest-workers," or imported laborers. In this film, the Arab workers are shown enduring the difficulties of life in a racist society, as well as the hardships they impose on one another.

Pierre Lachenay is a well-known publisher and lecturer, married with Franca and father of Sabine, around 10. He starts a love affair with air hostess Nicole, which Pierre is hiding, but he cannot stand staying away from her.

In the carefree days before World War I, introverted Austrian author Jules strikes up a friendship with the exuberant Frenchman Jim and both men fall for the impulsive and beautiful Catherine.

A year after the death of their father, life can begin again for Macha, Olga, Irina and their brother, Andrei. But the unpredictability of life destroys their hopes and certainties. The sisters of failed dreams now live in an idle city where everything has to start again. Chekhov's drama about loss and regaining meaning.