A young Aboriginal man, Jarman, is tasked with protecting his younger disabled brother from life in a harsh remote community. His father, Thunder, wants him to become the leader of the tribe and mocks any weakness in him. Brianol, the disabled brother, is seen as useless and yet Jarman senses that the boy has a great connection to the land and spirit. After witnessing abuse and intimidation from their overbearing father, Jarman takes matters into his own hands and flees with Brianol to the desert. Thunder pursues them, aiming to bring Jarman home and abandoning Brianol to die. Helped by a dreaming creature "Mamu", the boys eventually escape and Jarman is given the physical strength to stand up to his father.