A Place in the World

The film opens with Ernesto returning to his hometown after many years. Through his narration, a pivotal moment from his youth is triggered, initiating a long flashback that frames most of the story.

As a boy of eleven, Ernesto adores riding horses and racing them alongside trains. He also helps his father run a makeshift school at home, learning alongside the community.

Mario is a wool trader who has formed a cooperative to improve farmers' economic conditions. He leads by example, guiding his family and neighbors toward collective action and shared education.

Ana serves as the town's doctor, balancing patient care with the family's involvement in community life. Her role anchors the family amid growing hardship.

Ernesto meets Hans, a Spanish geologist supposedly hired by Andrada to search for oil. He becomes close to the family, sharing stories and teaching geology at Mario's school.

It is revealed Hans works for a multinational corporation aiming to build a hydroelectric dam. Andrada intends to buy the farmers' land cheaply before the state acquires it for the dam.

Ernesto falls for Luciana, but her father forbids their relationship. They continue to meet in secret as the town's politics intrude into their private lives.

Under pressure from Andrada, cooperative members accept selling wool at lower prices. The family resists and educates Ernesto about organizing for fair terms.

Mario decides to take a drastic action by burning the wool shed to rally the farmers to fight for better conditions. He frames the act as resistance against exploitation and a call to solidarity.

Mario informs Ernesto that he and Ana will move to Buenos Aires for his education, while Ernesto chooses to stay behind. This pivot tests the boy's loyalty to his roots and his personal ambitions.

The multinational corporation begins dam construction, accelerating the town's transformation. Hans departs for Spain, distancing himself from the unfolding conflict.

Ana decides to stay another year to seek a solution, postponing the family’s relocation and leaving Ernesto's future education uncertain. The decision highlights the unresolved tension between personal responsibility and larger economic forces.

The film closes with Ernesto standing at his father's grave, reflecting on his journey and vowing to find his place in the world. The moment ties together memory, loss, and a resolve to move forward.