Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert in his early 40s, is on the run. Hoping to reunite with his son, he travels to Recife during Carnival but soon realizes that the city is not the safe haven he was expecting.

Pedro is given leave from jail to visit his family in Patos. During his visit, he confronts old ghosts and plans a new direction for his life, while discovering in Pamela, his teenage cousin, the same flame that burned in his heart.

Bel works in a bakery shop during the day and studies at night. Stephanie exposes herself to the dangers of the streets at night, works as a prostitute. Suzana runs her on laundry business at home. Ashley faces violence daily in a society that discriminates against her. All bonded by affection and the desire of surviving in a hostile world.