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The background of this drama about a
father-and-son relationship is today's
terrorism in Italy. It is a highly dramatic
tale giving psychological insight into its
characters and a polemical assessment
of the deep pressures in Italian society.
Fifteen-year-old Emilio (Fausto Rossi) wonders why his father, a university professor (Jean-Louis Trintignant)
often invites one of his students with his
girlfriend for weekends to the family's
country house.
The son takes photographs of his
father with his visitors. When one day he
witnesses a shoot-out between the student (who is obviously a terrorist) and
two policemen, Emilio informs on him.
His father is called in for questioning,
but is later released. His attempt to talk
to the boy fails, as his son insists he was
doing his duty. Some time later, Emilio
sees the girl visiting the professor again.
The boy takes pictures of them
together, intending to turn in the girl.
All the sudden attempts by the father to
show more concern for the boy , and to
make up for years of neglect, come too
late.