Throughout the film are flashbacks to Ciro's early life in Naples. Ciro had been rescued as a baby from the 1980 Naples earthquake in which his family had been killed. As a child he was sent to an orphanage, falling under the influence of Bruno, a small time criminal who controlled a street gang of child thieves, and collaborated with Neapolitan gangster and smuggler 'Blackbird'. Bruno, dissatisfied with his rewards from Blackbird, became enthusiastic when given a role in smuggling cigarettes. Because of his precocious talent, and affection for him, Bruno invited Ciro to watch his girlfriend, Stella ('The Angel') sing at a club restaurant. Ciro became infatuated with her.