At the time of Nero, the Empire is at the height of its power, but Rome, where a million inhabitants live, is afraid of its enemies, of foreigners, of barbarians. Rome is afraid of the Tyrant and of its own power. And all these fears seem to crystallize in that of fire, more than anything else feared in this megalopolis that so often catches fire. In 64 A.D. the most terrible fire that the city has ever known broke out. It is said that it was set on the orders of Nero, in order to overwhelm the Christians who were accused of it. The watchmen, Celer and Theseus, intervene at the risk of their lives. This fictional documentary tells the story of the adventures of these two "firemen" in Rome during the Empire. An astonishing journey through time, the story of the life of men: customs, family, lifestyle, politics, education, leisure.

In 1960s France, 16-year-old Hannah Goldman is experiencing a painful adolescence. Her Jewish background and plain appearance make her an object of ridicule, but she has a talent for music and is determined to fulfil her ambition to play in the school jazz band.

Julie Toronto, a 32-year-old dwarf, quit her accounting job in Paris, to be with Antoine Delisles, the man of her life. She started working as a nanny at Antoine's. Julie is delighted: Antoine asked if he could marry her and both of his children love her. However, Antoine who is a lawyer, aspires to be President of the Bar. He understands pretty soon that the job he wants to fill is not necessarily compatible with the love he feels towards Julie Toronto.

A lawyer finds a special nanny who teaches his children all about prejudice and love.

Brothers Martin and Simon, not yet teens, are incorrigible vandals; Martin runs away from reform school, Simon from foster homes, and they always find each other in a seacoast town of Lignan, where their destructive behavior is infamous. (It may date to their mother's leaving the family.) Martin is philosophical, romantic, and poetic: he dreams of being the son of a shark; he holds tight to a book about goldfish his mother gave him. In both halting and wild ways, he tries to court Marie, a neighbor girl. Simon, with a pocketknife and an intractable will, seems more dangerous to others. What, on earth, is there for these children-becoming-men?

Bruno's girlfriend, who lives in another town, doesn't believe he loves her. Therefore, he decides to prove his love by doing something "crazy" and ends up hijacking a school bus full of children at gunpoint to go see her