Diamantina Mountains, Brazil, 1821. On coming back to the imposing but decadent farmhouse he received as dowry for marrying the heiress of a diamond baron, ANTONIO, a drover, finds out that his wife died in labor. Forced to live in this desolate property in the company of his demented mother-in-law and numerous slaves, he marries his dead wife’s young niece, a child of 12.