Malek, a Lebanese immigrant from Montreal, is haunted by the violent death of his sister. Convinced that he could have avoided this tragedy, he is consumed with guilt. He lives alone, poor, jobless until he meets Shohreh, an Iranian girl, with whom he falls in love. A new life opens up to him and he quickly finds work. Malek gradually regains his dignity but the past resurfaces to the point where he is pushed, almost in spite of himself, to finally settle his s with himself.