João, a blacksmith in Portugal, lives with his wife, two children and father. After work, he goes to the cabaret, where he meets up with Ana, his mistress. Ana is seduced by a fado singer, provoking João's jealousy.

Cabreira Hill. A village dominated by patriarchal tradition: the woman takes care of the household or picks up wood; the man takes care of the cattle or chops down trees to produce coal. After doing time for a crime of passion, a sailor arrives, becoming an element of fascination, changing things.