After 10 years working as a regional educational inspector in an African country, Gonaba (Eriq Ebouaney) is disheartened by how slight an effect his lofty ideals have had. Despite his French education, he is a minor functionary working for a repressive military regime. Gonaba soon becomes interested in advocating for the Baaka, a native tribe whose existence is threatened by economic development and government indifference, and journeys to the forest to meet them.