Gabriel de la Concepcion Valdes (Plácido) is accused of leading a conspiracy against the Spanish colonial government. Preoccupied by the development of Afro-Hispanic artist and craftsmen of the mid 19th century, Plácido was executed after living a short and controversial life.

In 19th century Cuba, runaway African slaves known as 'Cimarrons' hiding in settlements in the eastern mountains. But discord among the Cimarrons is sown by a limited offer of freedom from the Spanish. Maluala is part of a trilogy of films about Cuba's slave uprisings made by Sergio Giral, the best known Afro-Cuban director.

The plot is situated in Cuba during the early '50s, before the cuban revolution. A prostitute gets in love with a boxer to whom she devotes her life. As the boxer progresses in his career, he gets money and women. The prostitute tries everything to keep him meanwhile her tortured soul sinks deeper and deeper.