In the summer of 1984, an adventurous 11-year-old named Pietro, played by Luca Marinelli, embarks on a transformative journey accompanied by his mother, Francesca (portrayed by Elena Lietti). They settle into a quaint house nestled in the picturesque village of Grana, located in the stunning Italian Alps. Here, they encounter Bruno (acted by Alessandro Borghi), the last child left in the village. Estranged from his parents, Bruno finds himself living with his uncles and aunt, creating a unique bond with Pietro as they enjoy carefree summer days together.
As the seasons change, Giovanni (played by Filippo Timi), Pietro's father, arrives, and the trio sets off on an exhilarating hike through the mountains. However, when Bruno reveals that Pietro's parents have made arrangements to adopt him so he can attend school in Turin, tensions arise. This news stirs a whirlwind of emotions within Pietro, leading him to believe that uprooting Bruno from his beloved home is not right; he passionately protests this decision. Bruno’s father, frustrated by this interference, resolves to take Bruno away for the summer, putting a significant physical and emotional distance between the two friends.
Fast forward five years, and an older Pietro, now age 16, and Bruno find themselves sharing a moment at a bar, both lost in their thoughts without speaking. Upon returning to Grana, Pietro feels the absence of Bruno profoundly, and the camaraderie they once enjoyed has faded into a haunting memory. The rift grows deeper, especially between him and his father, leading to a heart-wrenching disconnection.
As the years roll on, fifteen years later, we find Pietro again, now 31 and working at a restaurant in Turin. One cold winter night, he receives devastating news from his mother: his father has passed away. To his surprise, he learns that Giovanni maintained a relationship with Bruno during his absence. This revelation compels Pietro to return to Grana, where he eventually tracks down Bruno in the mountains. Amid a pile of rocks and wood left by his father, intended for a house that remains unbuilt, the emotions come flooding back. This is where Bruno confronts Pietro about the directionless path he has taken in life, urging him to help build the house his father dreamt of. As they labor together in the mountains, Bruno shares his aspirations to restore his uncle's pasture, and he encourages Pietro to find his voice as a writer by fulfilling his lifelong dream to pen a book.
The plot thickens as the following summer brings new friends into Pietro's life, including Lara (played by Elisabetta Mazzullo), with whom he embarks on a brief yet intense relationship. Time passes, leading to a moment when Bruno reveals that Lara has plans to collaborate on a project with Pietro, eventually leading to their blossoming romance and the birth of a daughter.
Despite these happy developments, Pietro feels a lingering dissatisfaction with his life. Seeking a fresh start, he travels to Nepal and, after publishing his book, he returns to reconnect with Bruno. One starry night, he shares an intriguing story about an insightful Nepalese individual who spoke of the world being comprised of eight circular mountain ranges separated by seas, with Mount Meru being the central pinnacle. In a spirited exchange, Bruno positions himself as someone who stands atop Mount Meru, while Pietro contends that his experiences of the eight mountains grant him greater wisdom.
Now established in Nepal, Pietro starts a burgeoning relationship with Asmi, a schoolteacher. Upon returning to Grana, he feels drawn to share with Bruno his plans for settling down in Nepal, possibly forgoing annual visits to their shared homeland. Bruno, in an invitation for a meal, shows a willingness to reconnect amidst their personal changes. Reflecting on their past experiences etched in summit books, Pietro uncovers his father's profound reflections and dreams realized during his hiking adventures with both Pietro and Bruno. However, dinner with Bruno and Lara spirals into a heated argument centered around financial troubles, illustrating the mounting pressures on their relationship.
As time flows on, Pietro learns from Bruno that their shared haven, the pasture, is no longer theirs, leading to downward spirals in both Bruno's marriage and his connection with Lara and their daughter. In contemplation of past joy, Bruno invites Pietro to the house they built together for solitude. A poignant conversation ensues where Pietro, looking to support his friend, reminds Bruno that being a dedicated father means taking on stable responsibilities to avoid repeating the same mistakes their fathers made. The night grows tense as Bruno, feeling cornered, asks Pietro to leave.
Tragically, the narrative takes a darker turn when one fateful day, Lara contacts Pietro with alarming news: a snowstorm has buried the house, and Bruno has vanished without a trace, leaving family and friends in despair. As spring arrives and the snow begins to melt, Pietro can only watch as fate unveils haunting remnants of Bruno's existence. The earlier discussion of the solemn Nepalese “sky burial,” where remains are abandoned upon mountains for nature's reclaim, weighs heavily in Pietro’s reflections.
Eventually, Pietro sees the futility of holding onto a life that no longer holds meaning; he realizes some mountains are simply unreachable. As he embraces a new life by playing soccer with children at Asmi's school, an undeniable truth washes over him: he must traverse the eight mountains, for it is on the highest one that he lost his dear friend, Bruno. The story unfolds with profound themes of friendship, loss, and the quest for meaning against the backdrop of breathtaking landscapes and personal journeys.
