Matteo is still considered an outsider after many years, even though he has lived in the village for a long time and tends to the alpine pastures in the summer. Nevertheless, he will never truly belong. However, Matteo is also a stubborn man who is not easily discouraged. His love for people and animals is strong, and he is not afraid to do what he believes is right. He rescues the goats when they venture too far down a slope, maintains the hut high up, invites the old man for Nostrano, and bravely sets out to find Angelina's grandfather, who has become dear to him. Christian Besimo knows the Ticino mountain valleys very well, especially the Verzasca Valley. He has traveled there repeatedly, spoken with the people in the villages, and climbed up to the remote alpine pastures. He wanted to know what life is like up there and listened intently to the stories being told.