1759, Mauritius Island, Indian Ocean. The island is controlled by French settlers and the deported slave population live in fear while toiling in the sugar cane plantations. Unlike her disillusioned father Massamba, 16-year-old Mati refuses to keep her head down and accept her fate.

8-year-old Vicky has a mysterious gift: she can recreate any scent she comes across, even that of her beloved mother Joanne. When her estranged aunt Julia suddenly returns to town, the invocation of her fragrance plunges the young girl back in time to unravel a past replete with family secrets.

One evening, the doorbell rings at Adrien's house. It's Victor, whom he hasn't seen in years: his sister, Anna, has disappeared. They set out to find her in the streets of the Paris suburbs. But as the two friends worry about Anna, they come face to face with their own frailties.