Vincent (Jacques Bidou) provides for his family by working at an oppressive factory, finding escape only in painting. At home, his wife (Anne Kravz-Tarnavsky) constantly bothers him about chores, while his sons ignore him. After walking away from his job, Vincent takes a trip to Venice to visit his father's friend, Enzo (Otar Iosseliani), and strikes up an acquaintance with Carlo (Arrigo Mozzo), a worker whose routine in the new city is disappointingly like Vincent's regular existence.