In spring 1927, sensitive young Romanian Dinu Grigorescu is sent to Paris for a summer of polish and refinement in the hopes that he will finally get over the loss of his mother, begin to write his great novel, and gain some needed maturity. Instead, sequestered in his bohemian garret, Dinu discovers the works of Marcel Proust and recklessly surrenders to his lustful taste for men. Bravely seeking out a male brothel, he falls under the spell of fellow Romanian Razvan Popescu, and the two embark on a passionate affair.