Karolina Ferreira, an entomologist, goes to a small Free State town to do research on the survival strategies of a rare moth species. During the day, Willie September, a natural healer, introduces Karolina to the mysteries of the drought-stricken veld. At night she is introduced and exposed to the town's political intrigue and power games, while playing snooker, drinking whisky in the ladies bar, and dancing the tango.