Bog of Beasts

In Baixio das Bestas, 16-year-old Auxiliadora lives under the harsh rule of her grandfather Heitor. Heitor forces her to do endless chores and uses her to earn money, publicly humiliating her to extract more profit. The town's poverty and Heitor's control lay the groundwork for the abuses to come.

A local laborer named Maninho flirts with Auxiliadora, catching Heitor's wary eye. Heitor warns her to stay away from Maninho, trying to shield her from any relationship outside the house. The dynamic tightens as Maninho's attention becomes a source of tension in the household.

Cicero, a young man from a middle-class family, pays Heitor to keep eyes on Auxiliadora and soon becomes obsessed with her. He joins Everardo and his friends, a group that roams the town seeking trouble. Their presence foreshadows the violence and predatory behavior that follows.

At Dona Margarida's brothel, Everardo and his cohort engage in predatory behavior toward the workers, especially Bela. Bela resists, but Everardo's violence leaves her badly injured and the others celebrate the cruelty. The episode exposes the town's complicity in exploitation.

Dora and Ceica reminisce about Bela's assault, while later at the cinema Everardo and two others subject Dora to a brutal crime. The group’s cruelty ripples through the community, affecting more people in the town. The consequences of their actions continue to unfold.

Heitor has Auxiliadora stand naked for spectators at the local gas station, with Dona Maria profiting from the crowds. The humiliation is a stark display of control and the town's tolerance for abuse. This event happens at night, intensifying Auxiliadora's fear and powerlessness.

Cicero drives by, abducts Auxiliadora at gunpoint, and takes her to a field where she is subjected to a crime. The kidnapping marks a turning point, pulling her deeper into the danger posed by the men around her. The act occurs under cover of darkness near an open area outside town.

Auxiliadora returns home in fear and Heitor lashes out, cursing and attempting to beat her in an effort to regain control. She escapes once again, seeking safety away from the house. The family's tension escalates as the aftermath of the assault unfolds.

A group of maracatu dancers bursts into Heitor's house, interrupting the tense moment and coinciding with Heitor's apparent heart attack. He collapses in the wake of the disruption, leaving the household in turmoil. The moment signals a turning point for Auxiliadora and the town.

With Heitor dying in a coma, Auxiliadora moves to town to work at the gas station under Dona Maria's care. She begins a new, precarious life while the town debates her fate. The aftermath concentrates on the possibility of a different future, even as danger lingers.

Mario, a friend of Heitor, expresses willingness to marry Auxiliadora and give her a home, suggesting a potential escape from her past. The offer hints at fragile hope amid ongoing exploitation. The scene underscores the complex web of relationships surrounding Auxiliadora.

The final scene notes the rain worsening, underscoring the town's continuing hardship and the uncertain future for Auxiliadora. The weather acts as a metaphor for ongoing suffering and the fragility of any chance at stability. The narrative closes on a somber, unsettled note.