[3][4] Set on the north-west coast of France in the summer of 1910,[5][6] with black humour and moments of absurdity the film depicts a confrontation between two families in the midst of a police hunt for missing persons.

The van Peteghems, rich and inbred industrialists, are visiting their summer mansion above the bay.

On the other side of the creek are the Bruforts, fisherfolk with an unusual diet who also ferry people across the bay.

Ma Loute, maybe with some scruples, dumps the three captives in the dunes, where they are found and rejoin their family.

Ma Loute finds happiness with the van Petteghem's maid, who is working class and wholly female.