Two brothers, born in France of Arab descent, their grandfather killed serving in the French army, their father a quiet, law-abiding “model immigrant”.
Paul Smaïl, 27. Intelligent, highly educated, full of unexpressed anger, he spends his time reading, dreaming, boxing... His younger brother Daniel, rebellious yet fragile, a body-builder who shapes his flesh relentlessly, building his muscles, punishing his body until it kills him.