A village in Southern Tyrol during the thirties. The Italian Fascists try to italianize the South Tyrolians. They hate the Italians, who are unhappy in the strange environment and react with pressure and violence. High up on the mountain are the farms of the Tschutschenthaler and the Oberhollenzer families. In October 1939, Italy and the German Reich sign an agreement about the so-called Option of the South Tyrolians. Each German-speaking South Tyrolian has to decide until Dec. 31st, whether he wants to emigrate to the Reich or remain in South Tyrol. The line between the "Optants" and the "Remainers" runs straight through the families. Arguments, hate, insinuations, lies and violence are the result.
