Sixteen years ago, Valter chose to leave society behind and retreat to live in isolation in the woods of the Piemonte region, in search of what he considers to be the purpose of life: serenity. He lives in a dilapidated little cottage with no gas or electricity, and subsists almost exclusively on bread and milk, which he obtains by bartering the firewood he gathers in the woods. His life is governed by the rhythms of the dogs and cats he cares for with great affection, by his walks in the mountains, and by reading his books on Renaissance painters, a subject he is passionate about. A small battery-powered radio keeps him in touch with the outside world and helps keep him company during the long, sleepless nights by candlelight. At 63, however, the hardships are beginning to take their toll, and Valter starts to wonder whether this is truly his path to peace of mind. The documentary’s director becomes a companion against loneliness, the camera a window through which to see and, at last, be seen.