Djalma Limongi Batista's first feature is a sensual, simple story full of provocative ideas and imagery that have met considerable resistance in Brazil, a country where there are no greater idols than soccer players. Asa Branca is the story of a young, handsome champion athlete who is gay. While this film of homosexual repression and attraction has been publicly condemned by Brazil's soccer establishment it has nevertheless become quite successful, winning major Brazilian film awards as well as a special prize at the 4th Festival des Trois Continents in France. Batista made several experimental, erotic shorts as a student at the University of São Paulo before beginning work on Asa Branca.