Pickpocket João meets would-be mercenary Pedro, on his way to Africa. After a brawl in which Pedro is knocked unconscious, João returns him to his arid homeland on the border between Portugal and Spain, about to be submerged beneath the waters of a giant hydro-electric dam. Pedro attempts to flee, but encounters Clara - the beautiful wife of a local landowner and accepts a job to work on the land. Pedro and João are both attracted to Clara and a dark love triangle unfolds between them, building towards a surprising ending of sacrifice and passion.
