Ainom is an ex-guerrilla fighter from Eritrea who has escaped to Italy. She works at the skilift in a mountain town on the Italian-French border. To support her husband and son back in Africa, she accepts the unwelcome love propositions made by Enrico, an unstable and violent man. But there’s another man in love with her: the town’s Police Marshal Mario, Enrico’s brother.
Ainom’s only thought is to reunite with her family and cross the border. She thus arranges for her husband and son to be smuggled into Italy. But the day of the escape takes an unforeseen turn of events: Alberto and Ludovica, a young couple out skiing, have an accident and have no choice but to seek shelter in the same abandoned monastery where Ainom, who has run away from Enrico’s house, is anxiously waiting for her loved ones.
A rescue unit led by Mario begins the search and eventually finds the kids and Ainom, who in the meantime has reunited with her family. Her plan folded, Ainom urges her husband and son to run and gives herself up to the rescue team.
In a tense crescendo, Ainom then squares up with an outraged Enrico, who confronts her about her attempt to flee. This is when she reconnects with her warrior nature: she breaks the chains and wins back her freedom.