"Donos do Chão" (The Owners of the Ground' in a literal translation) is a movie about a unique form of government in Guinea-Bissau, that pretends to show the traditional way of exercising power by traditional "régulos" (chieftains). The documentary takes us to the south of Guinea Bissau, to the Cantanhez region, where the influence of central government is very remote. Here, the people are used to live with little support from the nation's capital, Bissau, but the régulos are also losing their strength.

The Documentary tells the story of Mamadu Camara, a recently chosen régulo from the Nalu ethnic group, and the son of one of the most charismatic leaders of southern Guinea-Bissau. Appointed as his successor after his death, Mamadu must now live up to the expectations of his people and other ethnic groups that live in the region. The shooting of the film started in 2011, before the new leader was instated, and will be completed in 2013.

Mamadu strives to impose his own charisma. He must face changing, in a time when Guinea-Bissau suffered another military coup that left the country paralyzed. He travels to Bissau, hoping to be received by the new authorities. Can the Nalu, the ones who can reach the spirits of nature, help to bring peace to a country where firearms are always above the law?