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.

During their divorce trial, Davide and Giulia go back through episodes of their life together while they listen to a series of witnesses. Do they really want to go different ways?

A story of friendship in a squalid suburb of a city of southern Italy. Alexander and Ferdi come from poor families and live in a city in decline, where there is no future.