Three pioneers of documentary filmmaking – Joris Ivens, Henri Storck, and the man behind the camera, Jean Rouch – recall the early days of the documentary genre and speak about their creative methods and sources of inspiration. This lively discussion between the directors is shot in cinéma vérité style and spliced with footage from their older films.

Jean Rouch filme deux de ses amis cinéastes, Joris Ivens et Henri Storck, qui évoquent leurs débuts dans le cinéma des années vingt, période d'engagement politique et poétique.