The story, based on the lives of the director's parents, is set in Bologna and begins on the banks of the Reno River; Francesca Osti is the daughter of a socialist worker and Carlo Dagnini the son of a middle-class merchant. After a few years, Francesca and Carlo leave their respective boyfriends and start a relationship despite the social and political differences. However, Carlo and Francesca are forced to return to Bologna to their family because of the assassination attempt on Togliatti. When Francesca finds a job in Pippo Dagnini's shop, she discovers that he is Carlo's father...