Winner of the International Emmy Award for best "Telenovela", Side by Side focuses on two women of different origins and social classes. The brave Isabel, daughter of a former slave and in love with capoeira player Zé Maria; and Laura, from a wealthy family and destined for an undesired marriage to Edgar. In addition to an unshakable friendship, the two have the same purpose in life: the conquest of freedom in the conservative society of early-20th-century Rio de Janeiro.