The Promise of Pisa

Samir, known as Sam, has Moroccan roots and lives with his family in a district strongly influenced by Arabic culture in the north of Amsterdam. The gang around his brother Mo and his friend Soesi is shaking the area with ever-increasing thievery. But Sam is supposed to stay out of it and stick to his goals. He has been promised a place to study at one of Amsterdam's most renowned music schools, where he will continue to play the trumpet and be the first member of his family to graduate. He promises his brother to work hard when the latter is arrested and sent to prison. At the elite school he is on his own and initially reduced to his appearance and background. His teacher Mr. Morenissen believes in him and his talent. Slowly Sam gets closer to other students, especially pretty Annelies. But his origin threatens to catch up with him again and again. Sam has to fight to emancipate himself and find his own way.