Clem follows the life of a young teenager, Clémentine, who becomes a mother at the age of sixteen, at the centre of tensions between her parents and Julien, the father of her child Valentin. It deals with the problems of teenage life and that of a mother with a strong personality.

Modern adaptation of the classic operatic drama, with a few twists. Micaela, José's Mother, and Mörd (Death) are played by the same dancer. The action is reduced to a single act in 13 scenes. The love scenes are played to a minimum and the working women's fight is adjourned to the last scene [and cut from some DVD editions] that concentrates all the pathos announced throughout by the eerie music.