Groupe Expand Images

Cécile adopted Benjamin at the age of two and has managed over the years to create a harmonious balance with the young boy. She is considering marrying Marc, a divorced engineer and father of two, when she receives a call from Francis Haudrant, her son's biological father. Panicked at the idea of losing him, Cécile agrees to meet him. He tells her that Benjamin's mother died when he was two months old and that he served five years in prison before going to live in Africa. Now a suburban mechanic and about to become a father again, he feels the need to know what happened to his son.

Set in 18th century, a 10 year old deaf boy has been abandoned by his mother, Comtesse de Solar, and is taken care by Abbé de l'Épée, who teaches him how to comunicate and express.

It is carnival time in Munich and participants are overindulging in alcohol and sensual pleasures. "Follow us into madness" beckons Lys who is drunk on life, but the sensitive Henry does not follow him. Lys has betrayed his fiancé, as Henry once betrayed his lost love Anna. In memory of Anna and his cruel Dickensian childhood, Henry challenges Lys to a duel to try to appease his guilt.