Directed by Brazilian filmmaker Roberto Santos, the film is based on the short story of the same name by João Guimarães Rosa, an important figure in 20th-century Brazilian literature. In the film, Santos tells the dramatic story of Augusto Matraga, a violent and aggressive man who, after a series of events, undergoes a profound inner transformation. The film explores universal themes such as redemption and the struggle between good and evil, which have made the Brazilian director an iconic figure in the film industry.