Abandoned to the convent as a baby, Joaquina is about to take her vows as a nun when she learns the truth about her parentage – that her mother still lives, and her father was real-life revolutionary icon Tiradentes, who fought and died for Brazilian independence.

The principal character in Helvécio Ratton's delightful film has been adapted from a book and comic created by the Brazilian cartoonist Ziraldo, and tells the tale of a happy-go-lucky 10-year-old child growing up in a city in the 60s.