Mathias was born in Guinea, in Fria, in the sixties. Fria was built at that time, by Pechiney, to exploit bauxite. The Lenault's, Mathias' parents, were one of the many French expatriate couples. Mathias left Guinea seven days after his birth, along with his mother. Mathias is of mixed race, Mr. and Mrs. Lenault have always been white.

Yaguiné and Fodé, schoolboys who try in vain to find work to help their poor families. Lured by the symbols of Western affluence and power that surround them, the two stow away on a flight to Europe.

Three childhood friends relaunch a mineral water factory in Guinea.