In 1931, the world is still enmired in the recession triggered by the collapse of the New York Stock Exchange. Young Toni leaves his home town in Italy, his parents and the first great love of his life to venture into an unknown but promising land called Brazil, where he falls in love with Camilli, who is Jewish. Torn between his two passions, Toni must surmount many difficulties as he strives to make his dreams come true.