Diane Fleri

In the 1960s, Accio and Manrico are two brothers from a working class family living in the provincial town of Latina, outside Rome. Elder brother Manrico is a communist but adolescent Accio - the runt of a despairing family - falls under the influence of extremist local stall holder Mario, who takes the young man under his wing and introduces him to fascism.

A Russian woman marries a rich Italian industrialist and becomes a respected member of his family, until a talented young chef fires up her appetites.