Ludovico is a precious stone merchant who trades between Europe and the Middle East. He is also an Islam convert, with Jihad as his highest religious duty, plotting a terrorist attack on an epic scale that will bring the West to its knees.
A thesis picture: is Western Europe turning a blind eye to the dangers of Islamic fundamentalism? Professor Alceo Bandini believes so. He writes and lectures to a few students at a Roman university; he's also a victim of a terrorist attack in Kenya where he lost both legs. On a short holiday in Cappadoccia with his wife Leda, they meet Shahid, an enigmatic cleric, and Ludovico Vicedomini, a forceful gem merchant. Back in Rome, Ludovico attempts the seduction of Leda while Alceo is suspicious of his new acquaintances' politics. The police counter-terrorists discount Alceo's fears: he's paranoid and jealous, they believe. What is going on?—<[email protected]>
The Merchant (Harvey Keitel) is a Westerner. A merchant dealing in precious stones from Afganistan and Turkey.He's above suspicion.In truth, the "Stone Merchant" is a Christian convert into Islam. He's rich, cultured, fascinating.Leda (Jane March) is a successful woman who works as Head of the Public Relations for a big company. She's married to Alceo, a professor at the Sapienza University, specialized in the history of terrorist movements.Alceo is on a wheel chair. He lost his legs in the attack to the American Embassy in Nairobi in 1998.Shahid is a terrorist.Now he's planning an attack along the English Channel.Their lives, their destinies cross in Turkey, where Leda and Alceo are on holiday. And the plot will go on to Rome and Turin till the epilogue of the attack on the ferry boat.
