Orlando Macedo

Strange graffiti on the walls of Rio de Janeiro, with the meaningless words Lerfá Mú, become the talk of the town, and cause for concern for the authorities.

A destitute family tries to escape the drought in the backlands of northeastern Brazil. Fabiano (Átila Iório), Sinhá Vitória (Maria Ribeiro), their two children and their dog Baleia wander aimlessly and almost hopelessly through the remote interior, surviving the forces of nature and the cruelty of men. An adaptation of the work by Graciliano Ramos.

The "corn king" usually sponsors dreamy girls who want to become a miss in any contest. One of them doesn't agree with her sponsor's "donjuanesque" tactics and abandons everything to return to her former fiancé.