Porto Alegre, Brazil. While his boyfriend joins the crowd for a big demonstration, Marcio is isolated in his apartment. From the porch, he hears the sound of bombs, cavalry, shouting and singing. On the street, a military policeman makes a call. Marcio's phone rings.

With an old VHS camera and help from a loyal friend who supports him almost unconditionally, Mateus records all kinds of images for a homemade movie. In his early-20s and living in an industrial suburb, Mateus confusingly tries to find some link between the stuff he shoots and the people in his life.

A movie projectionist finds a mysterious can of film containing the warnings "do not open, do not project", and ends up releasing forces beyond his comprehension.