Italy, 1947. The Gravini family hires a young African girl, Sema, as a maid. She is the most determined to get the job. Laura, the Gravini's teenage daughter, is intrigued by her. Despite being forbidden to confide in her, imposed by social conventions, the two girls become friends in secret. Sema, however, is suddenly thrown out, accused of theft. Surprised by the incident, Laura begins to take an interest in the stolen objects. She finds a mysterious gold box containing old photographs of her father in Africa. She thus begins to discover disturbing secrets about her own family's past.