I PREFER THE SOUND OF THE SEA

While on a visit to his native seaside region in southern Italy, wealthy Turin businessman Luigi is moved by the recent tragedy of a distant relative. Teen-aged Rosario's mother has been murdered and his father is in prison. Despite his misfortune, Rosario's self-efficient pride does not allow him to accept offers of help.

By way of the good intentions of Luigi, Rosario is non-enthusiastically brought north to Turin in a home for troubled teens run by charismatic priest Don Lorenzo. Rosario's uncommunicative state sadly preoccupies the 40-something Luigi, despite his own problems - a failed marriage, an unhappy mistress and a difficult home life with his sullen teen-aged son Matteo. When Luigi awkwardly pushes Rosario onto Matteo, a friendship between the boys reluctantly, but poignantly takes shape. Rosario's composed and deeply religious nature compatibly contrasts with Matteo's nervous dissatisfaction with a world blocked out with the help of loud rock music.

When Rosario's strong presence begins to inspire the confined Matteo to rebel against his father's authority, Luigi's deep-rooted complexes about his origins resurface uncomfortably. The fragile trust between the three of them is threatened as the emotional barriers between cultures, classes and generations become more evident.