Winner of the International Emmy Award for best "Telenovela", Side by Side focuses on Isabel and Laura, two women of different origins and social classes, but with the same purpose in life: the conquest of freedom in the conservative society of the early 20th century. The brave Isabel is the daughter of a former slave and is in love with the capoeira player Zé Maria; Laura is descendant from a wealthy Famille and is destined for an arranged marriage with Edgar. Fate brings these two women together at church: Laura is uncertain about her future with Edgar; and Isabel overflows with happiness waiting for Zé Maria, who becomes involved in a fight that leads him to prison instead of the altar. While fragile and vulnerable and believing to have been abandoned, Isabel is seduced by Laura´s brother and gets pregnant, causing Zé Maria to leave her. Fearing a scandal involving Albertinho, Constância simulates the baby's death, leaving Isabel no option but to accept a job offer in Europe. Laura discovers that Edgar has a bastard daughter, asks for a divorce and moves away. Years later, the two friends return to Rio. Now an established dancer, Isabel discovers that her son is alive and that the difficulties aren’t enough to tear her and Zé Maria apart. The same feeling reunites Laura and Edgar.