Arquivo

João Martins is to have his life marked by a dream of black gold, having been in contact, in childhood, with scientist José Gosch, a German doctor and geologist living in the northeast of Brazil and involved in the struggle to implant his own oil company when he is murdered by his partner. Divided between Mariana, Gosch`s daughter whom he eventually marries, and Camila, a childhood love, João embarks on his efforts to implant the oil company with Camila`s aid. When, however, Camila returns to Rio de Janeiro to manage the commercial side of the business, she starts to attend ANL - National Alliance for Freedom sessions and becomes involved with the communist movement. João and Camila are accused of fraud for selling company shares. João is hounded down and arrested and the company succumbs to investigation. The accusations give rise to an enquiry committee and subsequent implantation of a new policy for Brazilian oil. João loses the company but the country gains a state-controlled oil company in the midst of the Vargas era.