Two very different men are cell mates in a Brasilian prison; Luis Molina is a gay window- dresser jailed on a morals charge, while Valentin is a left-wing journalist accused of subversive revolutionary activities. To escape reality, Molina re-enacts a melodramatic film, impersonating its glamorous, but politically dubious heroine. Valentin's machismo and political convictions at first make him suspicious of Molina, but he gradually succumbs to his cell mate's kindness, and the two men develop a bond of friendship and respect for their sexual and social differences.

Two very different men are cell mates in a Brasilian prison; Luis Molina is a gay window- dresser jailed on a morals charge, while Valentin is a left-wing journalist accused of subversive revolutionary activities. To escape reality, Molina re-enacts a melodramatic film, impersonating its glamorous, but politically dubious heroine. Valentin's machismo and political convictions at first make him suspicious of Molina, but he gradually succumbs to his cell mate's kindness, and the two men develop a bond of friendship and respect for their sexual and social differences. (less)