Laura (Lara Wendel) and Fabrizio (Martin Loeb, age 18) have been meeting every summer in the forest by her parents’ summer home. Fabrizio is a solitary boy with only his dog for company; Laura is a sweet girl, but she lacks confidence. This summer new aspects enter into their story as both are growing up. The film represents them as part child, part adult. Part naive, part knowing. Laura is falling in love with Fabrizio, while he displays a new sexual awareness of her masked by his malice.

Fabrizio becomes inexplicably cruel. He accelerates his unwarranted torment of Laura in many ways, including tying her up and putting a snake near her and killing a pet bird she is fond of. Fabrizio prides himself on being ‘king of the forest’ and rubbishes Laura’s tender attempts to be his queen. One day they climb the “Blue Mountain”, a mysterious tall mountain at the forest’s edge and discover ancient building ruins. Exploring these they find a cave. Inside, Fabrizio seduces Laura.

Fabrizio’s cruel streak is boosted by his new sexual confidence. At one point he virtually forces himself on Laura, much to her upset. He does relent when she makes it clear she wants Fabrizio to be gentle with her, which he ridicules.