The film is based on a short story by H. P. Lovecraft, American master of Gothic horror tales Set in late 1 9th century Paris, Zann follows the efforts of Charles Dexter Ward, a young American student, to make the acquaintance of an ageing musician who lives a secluded life in the room above him at a boarding house Ward is fascinated, then driven to unravel the mysterious circumstances surrounding Zann and his music: he wants to learn why Zann plays wondrous, often awesomely compelling music late at night.