An excitingly fresh take on some classic themes and ideas, The Second Mother dissects with both impeccable precision and humor such matters as class differences and family. The film centers around Val, a hard-working live-in housekeeper in modern-day São Paulo.

Stunningly performed by Regina Casé, Val is perfectly content to take care of every one of her wealthy employers’ needs, from cooking and cleaning to being a surrogate mother to their teenage son, whom she has raised since he was a toddler. But when Val’s estranged daughter Jessica suddenly shows up, the unspoken but intrinsic class barriers that exist within the home are thrown into disarray. Jessica is smart, confident, and ambitious, and refuses to accept the upstairs/downstairs dynamic, testing relationships and loyalties and forcing everyone to reconsider what family really means.

“A deeply moving examination of the essence of family.” – Claudia Puig, USA Today

“This densely-layered yet fast-paced drama…dissects with both chilling precision and humor such matters as class differences, real mothers vs. caretakers, and whether privilege and one’s own station are things that can be questioned or changed.” – Boyd Van Joeij, The Hollywood Reporter

“One of the most accomplished, sure-handed films of the [2015 Sundance Film] festival.” – Sydney Levin, Indiewire

“Regina Casé shines in this warm character study. Brazilian filmmaker Anna Muylaert spins a culturally specific tale with universal appeal.” – Geoff Berkshire, Variety

“Casé’s ace comic timing mines plenty of humor from... Muylaert’s tightly written and structured screenplay.” – Geoff Berkshire, Variety

“Easily one of the best films I’ve seen this year. It’s deeply satisfyingly to see a story so deceptively simple unfold with such thoughtful and thought provoking resonance.” – Sasha Stone, Awards Daily

“A smart yet subtle portrait of the incalculable riches of a good relationship between parents and children.” – Monica Castillo, Paste

“Regina Case delivers a stunning performance…in Anne Muylaert’s riveting drama.” – Boyd Van Joeij, The Hollywood Reporter

“It smartly uses its little moments of humiliation to open our eyes to a world of delicate, but deep, injustice. ” – Bilge Ebiri, Vulture

“A magnificent drama about the charged relationship between household help and the household.” – Dana Stevens, Slate

Coming soon.

A MARC record for this title is not available yet.

Brazil’s Official Entry to the Academy Awards® - Best Foreign Language Film; Berlin International Film Festival - Best Director, Audience Award, CICAE Award; Sundance Film Festival - Special Jury Prize for Acting; Sao Paulo Association of Art Critics Awards - Best Film, Best Actress; International Press Academy Satellite Awards Nominee - Best International Motion Picture; Women Film Critics Circle - Best Foreign Film