After eight years of a political exile imposed by the Brazilian military dictatorship, sociologist Herbert de Souza returns to his homeland. Alongside democracy activists, he faces the arrival of AIDS and puts the devastating impact of hunger under the spotlight. Overcoming his fragile health and personal tragedy, he creates the largest social awareness campaign in Brazilian history.

A group of terrorists kidnaps a soccer player's daughter and plans to blow up the Maracanã in the middle of the World Cup. Rafael, a former member of the Anti-Kidnapping Squad, has a mission to save the girl and prevent this disaster.