A group of armed soldiers is sent to the Northeast of Brazil in an attempt to stop a famine-struck population from invading and stealing a food deposit in the dry backlands. While the alienation and insanity of people driven to hallucination by their latent hunger is conducted by the predictions of a religious figure, a truck driver observes the situation and remains torn between his friendship with the soldiers and his revolt against the lack of government action in fighting the misery that lingers over the region.

A gunman is hired to kill a corrupt politician. However, the agreement is canceled. Despite being a hired killer, the man takes his job seriously and prefers to go to the end.

A poor community in Salvador organizes a resistance against the destruction of the Água de Meninos street market.