The Way We Laughed

Two Sicilian brothers, Giovanni and Pietro, relocate to Turin in the 1950s to make a better life. An illiterate Giovanni works menial jobs to keep his younger brother in school, but Pietro has little inclination to study. Giovanni rises up the ranks of corrupt power, marrying a Northern Italian woman above his class and "assimilating" into the Northern culture. Guilt over Giovanni's sacrifices finally makes Pietro graduate and become a respected teacher.

When Pietro witnesses a violent act, he takes the fall for his brother, feeling it is his turn to return payment for the sacrifices made by Giovanni.