The story of the jugglers, acrobats, tricksters, aerialists, technicians, administrators, musicians, designers, and trainers involved in a community theatre project that was created to work with survivors of sexual assault and performed at the World Women's Conference in Beijing in 1995.
Set in 1935 Cannero, the story follows Paola and her daughter Eva, known as Little Spark, who earn a modest living through embroidery for wealthy visitors. Eva yearns for the excitement of Milan and dreams of a glamorous future in Hollywood as a make-up artist, rather than settling down with a local suitor. Her life takes an unexpected turn when she finds herself assisting the padre with the deceased, where she encounters a mysterious Englishman and an enigmatic mourner lurking nearby.