The key to the communal laundry room in the block of flats on the Rue de Genève 85 in Lausanne serves a much greater function than merely unlocking the door. This encounter between a symbol of typical Swiss mentality with a penchant for order and the tenants who have been housed here by the city’s social services department is not something to be taken for granted. Although the laundry room is normally located in the cellar, the tenants in this building share a tiny laundry room off the entrance hall because the cellar is reserved for prostitution. To maintain order and cleanliness, the landlord hires Claudina, a new “laundry woman”.

Gaspard is still very much in love with Leïla. They meet in a crowded bar a month after she left him. The conversation turns awry and Gaspard seeks refuge under the tablecloth, away from prying eyes and closer to his memories.

Patrona, Mexico. A railroad runs through the village. Every day, migrants try to cross the American border, crammed onto the roofs of the freight trains. As soon as they hear the train whistle blow, Norma, Bernarda and a dozen of other women from Patrona stand along the tracks to help the men who dream of a better life.

In my family, men have been butchers, passed down from father to son, for 150 years. My uncle, Christian, is the last to take over. As he retires and tries to sell this heritage business, questions arise.