A wealthy community in north-east Italy deals with its immigration fears.

An aimless college graduate jumping from one job interview to another — killing time in between with his deadbeat room-mate — finds his life turned upside down after falling in love with a mysterious woman.

Studying to become a teacher in 1950s Northern Italy, Sicilian immigrant Pietro is joined by his big brother Giovanni. Pietro shows considerable promise in his field, prompting illiterate Giovanni to take on even the toughest jobs in order to support his sibling's academic pursuits.