Documentary portait of Paul Delvaux (1897-1994), the last surviving member of the first generation of surrealist painters, once referred to as an "inspired sleep-walker" because of his staring eyes.

With the help of fascinating archive footage Delvaux reminisces about his life and long career, and explains how all his visual ideas are derived from childhood memories. Special effects show how his relationships with women (both in real life and in his paintings) affected his art.

Alain Robbe Grillet comments on Delvaux's life and the impact of his art (Delvaux was asked to design the sets for Grillet's film Last Year at Marienbad).