The world of 10-year old Nina has been in turmoil since her father lost his job. Despite weeks of strike, his factory closed down. The manager had tampered with the accounts and precipitated its collapse. But rumour has it that a nest-egg remains hidden somewhere in the factory. Nina and her friend Mehdi spring into action to help Nina’s dad out. This tale of our times, which is also a coming-of-age story, stages the interaction between the concerns of children and those of adults.

At 24 years old, Zack has all the appearances of a young man who feels good in his own skin. His secret is well kept. He's talented carpenter, he builds tree houses with his father. But his passion is boxing, which he teaches as a volunteer. Zack is thinking of moving in with Marjorie when his father has a work accident and falls into a coma. He must face alone the task of running the small family business. The weaknesses he thought he had overcome will be brought back. And as a newcomer, Ines, enters his life, his secret is in danger of being revealed at any time: Zack is illiterate.

The death of Roberto, the canary, forces a family to come to terms with their own grief.