It is the summer of 1951, in Sicily. The young professor Angelo Amato loves Maria Venera, the most beautiful and mysterious girl in town, but his love is not returned. Fifty years later, the old professor sees his life story retold in a film. Those who were once his loves and friends are long gone; time consumes, spoils and messes up all that is beautiful in Man. This film about Sicily at the start of the fifties, amongst bursts of passion, forced escapes and unreciprocated love, recalls the great and over-used themes and atmosphere found in films by Vitaliano Brancati and Pietro Germi. In true Sicilian style, I could reply that this is so, but it's not!