By Oriana Franceschi

“Val, can you turn on the lights please?” and flash the pool is illuminated. It shines like a sapphire, a bright jewel in the crown of the wealthy family for whom Val works as a maid in comic drama The Second Mother (Que Horas Ela Volta?, Brazil, 2015), directed by Anna Muylaert. She stands on the side with her employer Carlos, his son Fabinho, and her own daughter Jéssica. “It’s the most beautiful thing, isn’t it?” Val sighs to them.