Europeans (and Americans) have a horror of their citizens "going native" in non-Western counties. It is considered to be a form of insanity, demonstrating a lack of character in those who do it. In this story, Anton (Tim Roth), an English writer, visits Ethiopia with his girlfriend Julie (Marie Matheron), and chances upon a house once inhabited by the French decadent poet Rimbaud. Soon enough, he has abandoned her and taken up with the daughter of the impressive old wise-woman who owns the house. He is growing ever more interested in local customs and ways. Despite urgent pleas from Julia, Anton progressively divests himself of his western lifestyle and manners, and eventually heads out into the desert.