In 1914, with Italy on the cusp of joining World War I, a commune of Scandinavian artists establishes itself on the rural island of Capri, a safe haven for dissidents and nonconformists from all over the world, like Russian exiles led by Maxim Gorky, preparing the upcoming revolution. Here, local shepherdess Lucia finds herself torn between Seybu, the charming leader of the commune, and Carlo, a young doctor.