Dir.: Luiz Carlos Lacerda, Buza Ferraz; Script: Luiz Carlos Lacerda, Buza Ferraz, Joaquim Assis; Phot.: Guy Gonçalvez; Ed.: Ana Maria Diniz; Mus.: David Tygel; Cast: Betty Faria, Paulo Gorgulho, Caio Junqueira, Alexandre Lippiani, José Wilker, Edson Celulari, Raul Gazolla, Catarina Abdala, Claudia Mauro, Marcos Breda, Caco Monteiro; Prod.: Bigdeni Filmes, Rua General Garzon, N22, Sala 505, Jardim Botanico, Rio de Janeiro (Brésil), tél.: (55-21) 552 72 49, fax: (55-21) 512 46 42; Sales: Serene Skylight, 107 Broadway Blvd., # 301, Santa Monica, CA 90401 (États-Unis), tél. & fax: (310) 393-0442 .

Natal, Brazil, 1943. The Americans have constructed a large military base at Panamirim Field and the area is booming. Giancarlo, an immigrant Italian shoemaker lives a comfortable life with his attractive Brazilian wife, Lindalva, his 20-year-old daughter Iracema and 16-year-old son Miguel. An emotional, opera-loving man, Giancarlo is an admirer of Mussolini, but with the arrival of Allied troops, the political climate changes. The Japanese, the Germans and the Italians are now the "enemies". Lindalva, the town's favourite confectioner, sees the arrival of the Americans as a new opportunity for her social climbing. And the Americans' domestic gadgets are a great attraction, too. Iracema's adoring boyfriend is an older man, João Marreco, a journalist and English teacher who admires the Americans and is happy with their arrival. But this attitude begins to change when Iracema catches the eye of handsome young Lieutenant Robert Collins. Miguel, for his part, is serious and idealistic, his head full of philosophical musings. The focus of his contemplations changes when, at a movie, he meets Jucilene, who has come to Natal looking for a better life. Life in Natal is changing for everyone.