The film recounts Gavino Ledda’s life, drawing from his actual experiences, portraying his upbringing on a Sicilian farm under the harsh realities imposed by his father. It starts when he is pulled out of school at an early age because his dad (played by Omero Antonutti) requires him to care for sheep and protect them from dangers like snakes, wolves, and bandits—he’s quite small at this point. This sets the tone for much of his childhood, as his schooling is set aside so that the family can eat and have a place to live. As he grows into adulthood, his father pressures him into military service, which doesn't go as planned because Gavino (now portrayed by Saverio Marconi) demonstrates an aptitude not only for fundamental reading and math skills but also for grasping intricate concepts in electrical engineering and radio operation. Following his time in the army, he chooses to return to Sicily, wanting to pursue higher education on his own terms. Predictably, his father has different expectations—but can these two find common ground, and will Gavino be able to forgive him? At first, it's simple to dislike the father’s character; with the exception of a brief moment of tenderness (following an instance of physical punishment), he seems emotionally detached from his son. However, as the story unfolds, it becomes somewhat easier to see that this man is descended from generations who have faced limited prospects, living day-to-day with little education and scant belief in possibilities. Is Gavino’s independent nature a result of overcoming his father's influence or partly due to him? Marconi gives a strong performance, and both he and Antonutti maintain the familial strain as they acknowledge that change is unavoidable—change and aging. I appreciated how the ending remained open-ended; it suggests an ongoing process, which I found quite engaging.

Source on TMDB