when little N'Bedjo (Joao Bento) runs away to watch the masked dancers in the big Carnival in the capital of Bissau, the meaning of the masks and the dancing has several overlays. N'Bedjo's brother Mario (Mario Acqlino) and a friend take off to look for the runaway, and since it is 30 miles to Bissau, their journey is punctuated by a series of unexpected events.