[1] Set in strife-ridden, 20th-century Colombia, the film is a modern-day interpretation of Sophocles' classical Greek tragedy Oedipus Rex.

[2][3] Set amidst the rebel wars (representing the Theban plagues) of contemporary Colombia, young Mayor Edipo must mediate a peace deal between conflicting guerrilla groups and the army.

As soon as he gets to town he hears that a prominent leader Layo was brutally slain.

Meanwhile, a blind coffin-maker Tiresias wanders town making dire prophecies concerning Edipo's future.

Edipo's fate is sealed when he gets involved with the beautiful and much older Yocasta, a woman who last had sex thirty years ago with her husband Layo.