The small fishing island of Lampedusa, south of Sicily, is the setting for this eerie, visually beautiful film, which depicts, with languorous intimacy, the lives of the local community. Grazia is a mother and wife, a gentle and kind hearted creature whose only crime is a reluctance to abide by the small minded and conservative rules of the village. Grazia's nature brings her into conflict with those around her and ultimately results in an attempt to remove her from the community all together, a move that finally awakens the conscience and outrage of those closest to her. Respiro is a heartfelt and moving drama, all the more engrossing for its stunning setting.