House of Sand

Aurea (Fernanda Torres) is brought to the northern Brazilian town of Maranhão by her insane husband Vasco (Ruy Guerra), who suffers from delusions that the barren land may be profitably farmed. A calamitous turn of events leaves Aurea, now pregnant, and her mother Maria (Fernanda Montenegro) alone in the desert in a house full of sand. They eventually find friendship and food through Massu (Seu Jorge), who lives at a quilombo (a self-sustaining society originally formed by escaped slaves). Aurea wrestles with her unhappy fate but slowly grows accustomed to the new rhythm of life in the dunes.

Years pass and we find Aurea (now played by Montenegro) at peace in the desert, while her wild and sexually promiscuous daughter Maria (played by Torres) yearns to see the outside world.