Belgium 1980. On the banks of the Meuse river, against the enormous background of a steel-producing city, factories close one after another and lay off workers. One of those made redundant is Fabrice who, at thirty-five, is proud of his trade rendered mythical by fire and steel, but feels he has become useless.
His wife, Céline, tries to renew his interest in life. Despite a few moments of rediscovered happiness, Fabrice remains trapped in his confusion and one day disappears... Céline, her intense love leading the way, goes looking for and eventually finds him.
