Bologna 1938. Michele Casali has a serious problem. His teenage daughter, Giovanna, has just killed her best friend in a jealous frenzy. The girl is declared to be incompetent and is committed to a psychiatric hospital. While inside, she spends her time in almost total isolation. The only person who comes to see her is her father. His visitations strengthen the already strong father-daughter relationship from which Delia, the girl’s mother, has always been excluded. In the winter of 1953, Delia and Giovanna’s eyes cross paths in a small cinema in Bologna: Giovanna is by now much better and is in the company of her doting father. Her mother no longer has any doubts--this is the start of a new life together.