Dieses Meer, dieses unerbittliche Meer

Zeno is fifteen and sits in the notorious juvenile prison on the island of Nisida near Naples because he shot a boy who wanted to kill him. His teacher there encourages him to put his life and thoughts down on paper, and if he does, he might get two days out for Christmas. This is his account.

Zeno grew up in Forcella, one of the neighborhoods in Naples where the Camorra is as pervasive as poverty. When his criminal and abusive father goes to prison, the ten-year-old becomes the man of the house. Even though his mother is working as a prostitute, the money is not enough to support him and his sister. Zeno starts stealing, and soon a small capo offers him a job. So, twelve-year-old Zeno rides through the city on his stolen scooter delivering "packages." However, the turf wars between families in the neighborhoods are ruthless, and it’s only a matter of time before Zeno gets caught in the crossfire. He shoots the boy on the scooter, who was sent to kill him, three times. Now he sits in Nisida, the notorious juvenile prison near Naples, surrounded by an unforgiving sea and other young offenders, dreaming of the "outside." Of his beloved mother and his girlfriend Natalina. His teacher promised him she would put in a good word for him if he writes down his life and thoughts. So, Zeno begins to write.