Marseille, today. Trapped in the rubble of a collapsing building, Malik, a young Comorian, manages to escape but is arrested for drug possession. In prison, where a war between rival gangs is raging, he must quickly find allies. Massoud, a real estate developer with more or less legal activities, offers him protection in exchange for his loyalty. But Malik soon realizes that he is merely a pawn in Massoud’s game and that he will have to seize power to survive.

Mali, 1960. The youth of Bamako dance the twist to rock and roll music newly imported from the West and dream of political renewal. Samba, a young socialist, falls for spirited Lara during one of his missions to the bush. To escape her forced marriage, she secretly flees with him to the city. But Lara’s husband won’t let them be and the Revolution soon brings painful disillusions as they dream of a future together.

In Marseille, Rosa, 60, dedicated her life to family and politics with the same sense of duty. Everyone considers her unwavering, until the day she falls in love with Henri. For the first time, Rosa is afraid to commit. Between the pressure of his family, politics and a desire to indulge in her feelings, the conflict is difficult to sustain.