During the military dictatorship, a political militant takes his son out of the boarding school, and puts him temporarily in a friend's luxury and empty apartment in Copacabana beach. The son knows very little about his father, and the latter cannot really explain his activities to his son, fearing for his security. So the young man stands alone in the huge apartment, waiting for the infrequent meetings with his father, without really knowing what's going on.

An unhappily married cleaning woman in the slums of Rio entices all the money and gifts she can out of an elderly widower.

A veteran popular singer remembers her early days before fame as a humble woman who faced many obstacles in order to achieve fame, notoriety and make her dreams come true. Her life, the songs, the men she knew and helped her on her ladder to success all have a big influence on her life.

A German governess is hired to give German and piano lessons to the teenager son of a rich traditional family, in the 20s. But soon they get involved, and she teaches him love lessons instead.

João Carlos Martins was a child with serious health problems. Because of this, he had a reclusive childhood. But one day, the piano came into his life. He arises as a stubborn boy who, in a few years turns into one of the biggest promises of the world classical music.

Expedito, after being abandoned by his parents, became Zefa's adopted son until he became a man and started earning his living as an independent fisherman. As soon as he finds out that Zefa is very ill, Expedito runs back home and finds his adoptive mother in agony. At the edge of the bed, a mysterious woman, who claims to be Death, sits.

The seamstress Manuela, Tati's single mother, moves from the suburbs to Copacabana but faces severe financial difficulties. A friend of Manuela's sometimes fills in for Tati's father, giving the girl temporary happiness.

After being forced into a marriage and enduring a humiliating work routine in the hands of his father-in-law, Zé Araújo becomes the mythical Ojuara, an unconventional hero devoted to debauchery.

Fernanda is content with her life until she meets Miguel, a drug addict, bisexual male prostitute. She becomes captivated by him and leaves her family behind in favor of a new life filled with sex and debauchery.

Augusto Matraga is a violent agressive farmer who, after being betrayed by his wife and trapped by several enemies, is bitten up and left for dead, being rescued by a couple of humble small farmers who nurse him for a long time until he is well again. Influenced by the couple, Matraga starts a long penitent life while waiting for his hour and chance to payback, starting a fight between his violent nature, his hidden desire of vengeance and the mysticism and goodness which is also part of him.

In a beautiful coastal retreat, a seductive young woman ignites a rivalry between two surfers vying for her affection. One of them is trying to move on from a past love, but when she unexpectedly reappears, he finds himself torn.

The Caravana Rolidei rolls into town with the Gypsy Lord at the mike: he does magic tricks, the erotic Salomé dances, and the mute Swallow performs feats of strength. A young accordion player is completely enamored of Salomé, and he begs to come along. The Gypsy Lord shrugs, and the accordionist and his pregnant wife, Dasdô, join the troupe.

Young guy from the poor Northeast region of Brazil comes to Rio de Janeiro to try his luck. Naturally, he is faced with many adversities along the way.

Father Simão Bacamarte arrives in the small town of Serafim to investigate a certain phenomenon of madness.

In the 1930s, novelist and politician Graciliano Ramos is accused of being a communist sympathizer. He is then arrested and sent to the Ilha Grande prison, where he experiences the disturbing treatment reserved for common prisoners.

God needs to return to Earth when celestial beings rebel against humanity and decide to launch another meteor to exterminate life on the planet.

In the mid-1870s, Jacobina, daughter of German immigrants, became leader of a sect that believed in healing the body by cleansing the soul. After having a divine vision and speaking to Jesus, she changes her appearance and manners, disturbing the conservative population of the place. After the death of opponents of her sect, local authorities decide to take action against her and her followers.

During the Brazilian military government, journalist Estêvão is sent from Rio de Janeiro to Brasilia to cover the important statement of a minister, but takes the opportunity to deliver incriminating documents to another one.

In the 1930s, a blacksmith is accused of murdering his wife and becomes a hero and political leader.