Bulgaria 1952. 12 year-old David (Ben Tibber) escapes from the labour camp where he has lived most of his life. He races for freedom and stows away on a cargo ship bound for Italy. Forced to deal with strangers for the first time in his life, David finds solace in the memory of his friend in the camp, Johannes. He is given money for helping out some tourists and is able to buy food. David's path to freedom is still long.