Vincenzo lives in Sicily in the 1980s. Though only twelve years old, he is sexually precocious and pursues whichever of his female cousins he can get his hands on. His father is a labourer who works in various parts of mainland Italy and comes home for the weekend now and again. One day, however, he doesn’t come back, and Vincenzo’s life starts to change. Opposite Vincenzo’s home is a church, where a handsome new priest, Father Calogero, has just been appointed to the parish. One of Vincenzo’s grandmothers falls under his spell, and asks him to be the godfather at Vincenzo’s confirmation. After a show of reluctance, Father Calogero agrees.
While everyone celebrates after the ceremony, Father Calogero offers Vincenzo a summer job as his assistant and since the next day Vincenzo spends every day in the church. Father Calogero showers Vincenzo with presents, becomes increasingly affectionate and intrusive, and abuses him. The sexual violence becomes a monotonous routine, broken only by the arrival of Salvatore, a former victim of Father Calogero’s abuse.
The adult Vincenzo is overwhelmed by remorse and guilt, he is a social outcast, living a hand-to-mouth existence. Vincenzo grows closer to his grandmother, and suddenly some kind of redemption seems possible. But pain gnaws away at him, and the past comes back, demanding closure.