Anne Trister, a young Swiss Jewish artist, is profoundly affected by the death of her father. After quitting school, she leaves Switzerland for Quebec to visit her friend Alix, a psychologist to whom she becomes attracted. Through her work, Alix has developed an emotional bond with Sarah, a rebellious child with an enormous need to be loved. Detached from the world around her, Anne takes over a vacant studio to paint a giant fresco and throws herself into a series of fleeting and impulsive affairs.