Filippi is a circus clown who lives a double existence: on stage he is successful and beloved, but privately he is consumed by jealousy and emotional fragility. He is in love with Arlette, a trapeze artist, but she prefers his rival Mario. When Filippi attempts to eliminate Mario, the situation spirals into tragedy, leading to Arlette’s death. Unable to cope with guilt, Filippi becomes trapped in a downward spiral of remorse, illusion, and emotional collapse. The story is largely told through flashbacks within the circus environment, blurring reality and memory.

Directed by Rik Kuypers, the 1968 documentary Lieven Gevaert, eerste arbeider chronicles the life of the Flemish industrialist, highlighting his transition from a small-scale photographic paper producer to founder of the global Agfa-Gevaert corporation. The film emphasizes Gevaert's social philosophy, his dedication to the Christian labor movement, and his pivotal role in the Flemish Movement, portraying him as both a pioneering industrialist and a social reformer.