In 1988, the disappearance of a young girl shocks the population of little Brígida, in the interior of southern Brazil, resulting in the banning of pagan festivities of Ivana Kupala. Thirty years later, the city is preparing to bring the party back, but terrifying events, along with the dangerous ritual of transmigration of souls, unsettle the community and bring to light the secrets of a crime that ties three families’ destinies through time.

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.

Julius is a photographer working as a men's magazine photo retoucher. His wife, Marcia, is a criminal lawyer who defends Teodoro, a squatter accused of murder. For years they had a quiet wedlock. However, Marcia gets involved with her client, and as revenge, Julius sleeps with Ana Maria, a friend of their daughter Guida. From this episode on, their lives are no longer the same.

An ubiquitous folk singer narrates the tale of a young boy, who apparently becomes immune to gunfire after his mother arranges for him to have an amulet bearing Ogum's blessings. As time goes by, he becomes a valuable member of a mobster's hit-team, but ends up joining a group of people who resist his original employers.

Julius is a photographer working as a men's magazine photo retoucher. His wife, Marcia, is a criminal lawyer who defends Teodoro, a squatter accused of murder. For years they had a quiet wedlock. However, Marcia gets involved with her client, and as revenge, Julius sleeps with Ana Maria, a friend of their daughter Guida. From this episode on, their lives are no longer the same.

2007 film by José Padilha