Maddalena Colombo

Three children force a classmate to a test of courage to get into their group. During the test, which consists in finding a skull in an abandoned church, the child is swallowed by a chasm that opens on the church floor. The other kids, who had stayed out, rush in the church, look in the deep hole, call their friend, but don't receive answers. The little sister of one of them, who followed them, bursts into the church and lets herself down by a rope, but falls into the abyss, dragging the other kids. All five children find themselves into old caves in search of a way out, helped by Grotto, a creature alike a stalagmite.

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.

A touching story of an Italian book seller of Jewish ancestry who lives in his own little fairy tale. His creative and happy life would come to an abrupt halt when his entire family is deported to a concentration camp during World War II. While locked up he tries to convince his son that the whole thing is just a game.

Antonio is a seductive, charismatic Sicilian living illegally in New York. He wanders from job to job, lives as a squatter and enjoys a carefree romantic tryst with a wealthy art dealer. When he falls in love with Ellen, a strong-willed radio talk-show host who is set to move to Paris within a few days, he decides he must find a way to keep her from leaving.

Matteo is a Roman barber whose business is full of debts. He decides to escape from this depressing reality by accepting his sister's invitation to Brazil.