In a monumental building a group of scientists submit women to obscure experiments in which sexuality and cruelty constantly merge into one another. "Pentimento" is an art-historical term for a hidden image underneath the actual image giving an indication of how the latter evolved to its current state.

The central element in this film is formed by the preparation for and execution of a performance. The performance, a parachute jump, is carried out by an artist (Perrenet) and his girlfriend during the opening of an exhibition. As spectators to the performance, which takes place in the artist’s studio, an art dealer and several friends have been invited. The art dealer enters first, followed by Armand, who looks at some paintings made by Zwartjes; they spout the usual ‘gallery nonsense’. The art dealer appears most interested in the girlfriend. ‘My latest creation’ is how Amand introduces her. The guests who arrive thereafter are introduced in short, independent sections.

Long-nosed Cyrano de Bergerac helps an army officer woo Roxane, the woman he loves.

The passionate but dangerous relationship between actress Alison and glamour crook Quinten. Their love goes so far that Alison provides her lover with an alibi when he is suspected of murdering his father. But Quinten also goes to great lengths for her and goes after her manager when it turns out that he has run off with her wages. However, this confrontation proves fatal for Quinten on the eve of the premiere of Alison's show.

Hans falls in love with Brenda, an Indonesian girl. Hans' father sells an old building to Brenda's father, so that he can open an Indonesian restaurant there. Hans' father is the owner of a snackbar himself. The restaurant becomes very succesful, but some racists can't handle that, so they set the snackbar on fire...