In 1975, on his 70th birthday, Dr. Carlos Miranda watches a TV special about his life. Displeased with it, he uses his futuristic TV set to interrupt the host and provide his own retelling of the story to the audience.

Coronel Januário's goddaughter, Maria Fausta, is having a secret affair with João do Carmo. While her godfather is engaged in his political campaign for mayor of the city, the couple disappears. Galdino, an accordionist who is secretly in love with her, goes looking for them.

Two children flee together with a grown up from a slum in Rio because this man had problems with the local drug lord. They end up in the house where a rich American citizen lives with his daughter.