The fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the last part of the XX century, created a class of impoverished people whose only desire was to leave their native lands in search of a future in the more developed nations. This story begins as Romania's last dictator, Ceausescu, is being deposed. We are introduced to Ioan, a boy of about ten, whose father Florin has always told him about the beauty of the Danube. During the uprising, Florin takes Ioan out one night. They encounter a person laying in the middle of the road. Florin, trying to be of help, is killed by a gun shot.
Years later, Ioan's future is uncertain, at best. When a friend tells him about the possibilities in Italy, he is apprehensive, but his pal convinces him it will be better than staying in Bucharest with no job. Traveling with fake passport, the friend is taken away, but Ioan has no trouble continuing to Rome.
Ioan did not consider the problems he would face. His friend having painted a rosy picture, surprises Ioan with a reality he did not count on. Ioan cannot get a job and must resort to live eking an existence he did not plan on. Michele, a janitor, surprises him using the facilities he just cleaned, and tells him not to come again. Ioan, who is desperate, gets an offer from Michele to share his apartment paying a price he probably he cannot afford.
Michele, begins to realize that Ioan is a good person. In fact, Michele is an older homosexual who starts looking at his room mate in a different light. Eventually Ioan lands a job in a junk yard, that lasts for only a while because the police comes to check on the immigration status of the workers. Ioan discovers his Romanian friend one day, but is horrified by the fact that his pal is nothing but a hustler that works as a male prostitute.
When a photographer, Luciana, spots Ioan roaming the streets, she is intrigued by the young man. She believes he is a natural and sponsors him in getting to model for the fashion designers, taking him to Milan. Michele, who has lost another job, is despondent because he thinks he has lost Ioan forever. Ioan, disgusted by the world he does not belong, throws everything away to return to Rome and his life with Michele, a little too late, for that matter.
Carmine Amoroso, the creator of this film, surprised with his take on the realities no one tells the thousand of immigrants that have flocked to Western Europe in search of opportunities. Unfortunately, most of them were not prepared by their communist background to do anything they might qualify in the developed world. Most, like Ioan's friend, resort into gay prostitution, selling sex for a price. Ioan, on the other hand, is different. He does not see what Michele's intentions are. At the same time, Michele is afraid to do a wrong move that will end his strange relationship with Ioan.
Edward Gabia, who is a dancer, makes a surprising Ioan. Luca Lionello, who appears as Michele does a subtle job in not making his character too obvious. Chiara Caselli has a small part as Luciana, the photographer that tries to change Ioan's life, but ultimately succeeds in alienating him by repelling him with her take in the photography she takes.
Years later, Ioan's future is uncertain, at best. When a friend tells him about the possibilities in Italy, he is apprehensive, but his pal convinces him it will be better than staying in Bucharest with no job. Traveling with fake passport, the friend is taken away, but Ioan has no trouble continuing to Rome.
Ioan did not consider the problems he would face. His friend having painted a rosy picture, surprises Ioan with a reality he did not count on. Ioan cannot get a job and must resort to live eking an existence he did not plan on. Michele, a janitor, surprises him using the facilities he just cleaned, and tells him not to come again. Ioan, who is desperate, gets an offer from Michele to share his apartment paying a price he probably he cannot afford.
Michele, begins to realize that Ioan is a good person. In fact, Michele is an older homosexual who starts looking at his room mate in a different light. Eventually Ioan lands a job in a junk yard, that lasts for only a while because the police comes to check on the immigration status of the workers. Ioan discovers his Romanian friend one day, but is horrified by the fact that his pal is nothing but a hustler that works as a male prostitute.
When a photographer, Luciana, spots Ioan roaming the streets, she is intrigued by the young man. She believes he is a natural and sponsors him in getting to model for the fashion designers, taking him to Milan. Michele, who has lost another job, is despondent because he thinks he has lost Ioan forever. Ioan, disgusted by the world he does not belong, throws everything away to return to Rome and his life with Michele, a little too late, for that matter.
Carmine Amoroso, the creator of this film, surprised with his take on the realities no one tells the thousand of immigrants that have flocked to Western Europe in search of opportunities. Unfortunately, most of them were not prepared by their communist background to do anything they might qualify in the developed world. Most, like Ioan's friend, resort into gay prostitution, selling sex for a price. Ioan, on the other hand, is different. He does not see what Michele's intentions are. At the same time, Michele is afraid to do a wrong move that will end his strange relationship with Ioan.
Edward Gabia, who is a dancer, makes a surprising Ioan. Luca Lionello, who appears as Michele does a subtle job in not making his character too obvious. Chiara Caselli has a small part as Luciana, the photographer that tries to change Ioan's life, but ultimately succeeds in alienating him by repelling him with her take in the photography she takes.
