In Peru, the oil industry is mostly outsourced to foreign companies. In the rainforest oil fields, the indigenous population is increasingly persecuted and confrontation with companies and police occurs frequently. After a policeman is killed at a peaceful protest, various indigenous campaigners are arrested on murder charges. One of their leaders, Fachin, contacts a leading defence lawyer who specialises in indigenous cases, in an effort to challenge the normal routine of unjust imprisonment. The film also considers the effect of the camera - is the case and the possible verdict changed by the filmmaker's presence, especially with a foreign crew?