In 1830 Paris a penniless group of young artists leads a carefree life. It is Christmas Eve and, in a cold attic, the painter Marcello is painting a picture with his friend the poet Rodolfo. From the window they see the smoking chimneys of Paris while their chimney is off: they have no firewood to burn. The only possibility for some fire is burning a poem written by Rodolfo. Marcello and Rodolfo are joined by two other friends, the philosopher Colline and the musician Schaunard. When it is almos...