Roberto Ando’s movie, based on the novel of the same title, tells the story of an unusual friendship. Gabriele (a melancholic Silvio Orlando), a professor at the Conservatory of Music in Naples, finds himself in an extraordinary situation. A ten-year-old boy, Ciro (Giuseppe Pirozzi), suddenly comes running into his apartment, escaping from his Camorra-involved family. He and his friend have committed an unforgiveable act: they beat and robbed the mother of the mafia boss who rules half of the city’s criminal world, and the elderly woman is now hospitalized in a coma. In order to save the rest of the family, Ciro’s father wants to hand him over to the mobsters. Gabriele agrees to hide Ciro in his home, and a bond develops between these two very different characters from such different backgrounds, and grows stronger every day. Ando confronts two drastically different social orders: the world of the arts, music and culture is juxtaposed with the mafia and the violence of the streets. With a great sense of empathy, he presents a friendship that will not only change both characters forever, but also give them the strength to survive — in spite of everything and against all odds.