THE SMELL OF CANDLES is a short film about the emotional boundaries that bind the relationships between siblings. Sara and Gabriela have long lost contact with each other. They finally meet for their mother's anniversary. Amongst the present silences and the confrontations from the past, the two sisters rediscover their intimacy in an unexpected surprise party.

Werner Schroeter directed this dark and surreal tale of a man determined to save a lost lover from a grim fate at the hands of a violent mob. The city of Santa Maria is falling into chaos as an armed military faction is poised to take power in a coup d'etat. Ossorio used to call Santa Maria home, and he has returned in its darkest hour to find the woman he loves, hoping to rescue her from the violence that is lurks around the corner. As Ossorio searches for his love, he meets Victoria in a shabby hotel, who in turn introduces him to her father Barcala, who for the right price is willing to take Ossorio and another passenger away on his boat. While Ossorio is willing to pay Barcala what he wants, can he find the mysterious woman before the ship sets sail?

Having lost her place among the social elite, a widow remarries and starts a family.