Wartorn Croatia, 1991. Seven-year-old Jerko lives a relatively peaceful life in a small village. However, when the ethnic conflicts reach his doorstep, he's forced to quickly grow up. His grandmother is viciously gunned down, his uncle mortally wounded, their family home is torn to shreds and his parents are taken by the Serbian forces as POWs. Hiding away in a wicker basket, he finds his way to an orphanage, but finds that shock had now rendered him speechless. Whilst being situated there, he establishes a growing connection with Bernarda, a psychiatrist who grows a liking for him.