Spira, 18, spent the last eight years in remand school and returns to Reboleira, a slum in Lisbon. His friends Giovani and Chandi are still there, as are the locals, deals and parties. But some people, like the gang boss Kikas, aren't too pleased he's back. Spira realizes that things are changing. As the bulldozers begin to tear down the neighborhood, everyone tries to hold on to their dreams, like Iara who Spira falls in love with, or Giovani who'll do anything to be one of the top dealers.