François er lærer på et gymnasium i en af de mest socialt belastede dele af Paris. Det er et job, der kan tage modet fra de fleste, men François klarer det ved at insistere på respekt og ærlighed. En dag får François ansvaret for en klasse, der tilsyneladende ikke har tænkt sig at indordne sig under nogle af hans regler og principper uden hård kamp.
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 the capoeira player Zé Maria; and Laura, descendant from a wealthy family and destined to an undesired marriage to Edgar. In addition to an unshakable friendship, the two share the same purpose in life: the conquest of freedom in the conservative society of Rio de Janeiro of the early 20th century.
When the men go to war, the women also battle. This tale takes place in the XIX century, during a terrible civil war. Italy’s revolutionary leader Garibaldi must choose between two loves: a sweet aristocratic lady or a brave woman who leaves her husband to accompany him into battle. This super-production recounts the saga of women who do not go to war but must bear pain, solitude and new passions while their husbands and fathers fight the battles.
