The documentary is a portrait of Markos Vamvakaris (1905-1972) who was undeniably the most important creator in the classical period of the rebetiko song (1932-1940), before it broadened its appeal to include larger segments of society. The rebetiko, a great moment in neo-Greek culture - which has much in common with American blues - was not simply an art form but a way of life for the rebetes who had their own codes of honor and values. Through the life of Markos Vamvakaris, unique but at the same time representative of this world, we explore what made the rebetes so special as well as their relationship with the rest of society. The film contains rare and important documentation, images, sound tracks, audiovisual material that shed light on his life and the socio-historic framework within which he moved. It includes personal accounts by friends and relatives of his life and work, rebetiko songs and dances. But most of all it describes the environment, the spaces, the ambience in which Vamvakaris lived and which even today preserve the atmosphere of his music unadulterated: a harshness that occasionally mingles with great tenderness.