Michele Casali is a middle-class professor in Fascist Italy who teaches at the same high school attended by his only daughter, Giovanna. A shy and sensitive girl, her insecurities are only magnified by Michele's overprotectiveness—reaching a point of no return.

Teo, a student in Astrophysics, shares an apartment with his girlfriend, Carla, who is also a student. One evening, while he is absent-mindedly crossing the road, he is knocked down by a car. At the wheel of the car is Mavi, a girl originally from Spalato, who came to Italy with her father when she was a little girl. Teo is lying on the ground, injured, and Mavi helps him, before disappearing without a trace. The two characters meet again by chance some time later and a strong and deep bond forms between them.