Dima Wannous tells the story of the lives of people before the start of the Syrian Revolution in 2011. He describes shattered and disturbed personalities: incapable, conforming, frightened, sycophants, poor souls, and all victims of an all-encompassing dictatorship. Maha, recently promoted, has fought hard for the position of editorial director: through careful flattery, anticipatory obedience, and government-loyal opinions. Finally, the moment has come, but she realizes that the director's chair must not only be conquered but also defended. Sahar, a young, beautiful woman with a small, stout, hairy husband, spends her days observing the neighbors through her window and attending Quran lessons from a widow in the neighborhood, who provides astonishing insights into chastity and prostitution within marriage. Samîh is a taxi driver in Damascus.