At the beginning of a century of emigration, and shortly before the onset of a world war, many flee the islands and mainland of southern Italy in the search for a better life in the north. Settling in the small village of Ammoglia, Cirene, the daughter of a now deceased butcher, chooses to take over her fathers line of work. Due to an illness, Cirene is unable to enjoy sexual relations as they are an extremely painful experience. The joyful result of her life’s only physical relation is her wonderful daughter, Ortelia. Dedicated to her, Amleto stays with his wife and daughter and tries to help them make ends meet. Due to this forced Abstinence, Amleto begins to frequent a local brothel and it is there he catches a disease that leaves him paralyzed and sitting in a wheelchair. Now it is their daughter, Ortelia that will be forced to make difficult decisions about her father and her families future.