Anna Muylaert

Directing

Anna Muylaert

Born

1964-04-21 (62)

Place of birth

São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil

Known for

Directing

Credits

44 titles

Anna Muylaert (born April 21, 1964) is a Brazilian screenwriter and television and film director. She is known for her fourth film, The Second Mother, which entered the 2015 Sundance Film Festival and Panorama at Berlinale film festival, where the film received the Audience Award.

Known for

The Second Mother poster
8.0

After leaving her daughter Jessica in a small town in Pernambuco to be raised by relatives, Val spends the next 13 years working as a nanny to Fabinho in São Paulo. She has financial stability but has to live with the guilt of having not raised Jessica herself. As Fabinho’s university entrance exams approach, Jessica reappears in her life and seems to want to give her mother a second chance. However, Jessica has not been raised to be a servant and her very existence will turn Val’s routine on its head. With precision and humour, the subtle and powerful forces that keep rigid class structures in place and how the youth may just be the ones to shake it all up.

The Second Mother

2015

Don't Call Me Son poster
6.3

Pierre is seventeen and in the middle of puberty. He plays in a band, has sex at parties and secretly tries on women’s clothing and lipstick in front of a mirror. Ever since his father’s death, his mother Aracy has looked after him and his younger sister Jacqueline, spoiling them both. But when he discovers that she stole him from a hospital when he was a new born baby, Pierre’s life changes dramatically. In her new film, director Anna Muylaert explores the mother-child relationship through the eyes of a rebellious son whose whole world unravels overnight.

Don't Call Me Son

2016

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation poster
7.2

A boy is left alone in a Jewish neighborhood in the year of 1970, where both world cup and dictatorship happen in Brazil.

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation

2006

No artwork available
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Mais Luz

1986

Paixão XX poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Paixão XX

1984

O Bolo de Morango poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

O Bolo de Morango

2006

Film credits

Behind the camera

The Second Mother poster
8.0

After leaving her daughter Jessica in a small town in Pernambuco to be raised by relatives, Val spends the next 13 years working as a nanny to Fabinho in São Paulo. She has financial stability but has to live with the guilt of having not raised Jessica herself. As Fabinho’s university entrance exams approach, Jessica reappears in her life and seems to want to give her mother a second chance. However, Jessica has not been raised to be a servant and her very existence will turn Val’s routine on its head. With precision and humour, the subtle and powerful forces that keep rigid class structures in place and how the youth may just be the ones to shake it all up.

The Second Mother

2015

The Second Mother poster
8.0

After leaving her daughter Jessica in a small town in Pernambuco to be raised by relatives, Val spends the next 13 years working as a nanny to Fabinho in São Paulo. She has financial stability but has to live with the guilt of having not raised Jessica herself. As Fabinho’s university entrance exams approach, Jessica reappears in her life and seems to want to give her mother a second chance. However, Jessica has not been raised to be a servant and her very existence will turn Val’s routine on its head. With precision and humour, the subtle and powerful forces that keep rigid class structures in place and how the youth may just be the ones to shake it all up.

The Second Mother

2015

The Second Mother poster
8.0

After leaving her daughter Jessica in a small town in Pernambuco to be raised by relatives, Val spends the next 13 years working as a nanny to Fabinho in São Paulo. She has financial stability but has to live with the guilt of having not raised Jessica herself. As Fabinho’s university entrance exams approach, Jessica reappears in her life and seems to want to give her mother a second chance. However, Jessica has not been raised to be a servant and her very existence will turn Val’s routine on its head. With precision and humour, the subtle and powerful forces that keep rigid class structures in place and how the youth may just be the ones to shake it all up.

The Second Mother

2015

Don't Call Me Son poster
6.3

Pierre is seventeen and in the middle of puberty. He plays in a band, has sex at parties and secretly tries on women’s clothing and lipstick in front of a mirror. Ever since his father’s death, his mother Aracy has looked after him and his younger sister Jacqueline, spoiling them both. But when he discovers that she stole him from a hospital when he was a new born baby, Pierre’s life changes dramatically. In her new film, director Anna Muylaert explores the mother-child relationship through the eyes of a rebellious son whose whole world unravels overnight.

Don't Call Me Son

2016

Don't Call Me Son poster
6.3

Pierre is seventeen and in the middle of puberty. He plays in a band, has sex at parties and secretly tries on women’s clothing and lipstick in front of a mirror. Ever since his father’s death, his mother Aracy has looked after him and his younger sister Jacqueline, spoiling them both. But when he discovers that she stole him from a hospital when he was a new born baby, Pierre’s life changes dramatically. In her new film, director Anna Muylaert explores the mother-child relationship through the eyes of a rebellious son whose whole world unravels overnight.

Don't Call Me Son

2016

Don't Call Me Son poster
6.3

Pierre is seventeen and in the middle of puberty. He plays in a band, has sex at parties and secretly tries on women’s clothing and lipstick in front of a mirror. Ever since his father’s death, his mother Aracy has looked after him and his younger sister Jacqueline, spoiling them both. But when he discovers that she stole him from a hospital when he was a new born baby, Pierre’s life changes dramatically. In her new film, director Anna Muylaert explores the mother-child relationship through the eyes of a rebellious son whose whole world unravels overnight.

Don't Call Me Son

2016

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation poster
7.2

A boy is left alone in a Jewish neighborhood in the year of 1970, where both world cup and dictatorship happen in Brazil.

The Year My Parents Went on Vacation

2006

Paixão XX poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Paixão XX

1984

Paixão XX poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

Paixão XX

1984

O Bolo de Morango poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

O Bolo de Morango

2006

O Bolo de Morango poster
NR

No synopsis available yet.

O Bolo de Morango

2006

The Best Mother in the World poster
7.1

To escape her abusive husband, garbage collector Gal packs her two young children, Rihanna and Benin, onto the top of her cart and heads across São Paulo to her cousin’s house. As she struggles to avoid the dangers of the streets along the way, she convinces the children that they are on a big and exciting adventure. When they arrive at her cousin’s house, they are warmly welcomed and fed. However, what initially seems like a safe haven soon turns out to be a trap. Gal realises that not only her own safety is at risk, but also the future of her children.

The Best Mother in the World

2025

The Best Mother in the World poster
7.1

To escape her abusive husband, garbage collector Gal packs her two young children, Rihanna and Benin, onto the top of her cart and heads across São Paulo to her cousin’s house. As she struggles to avoid the dangers of the streets along the way, she convinces the children that they are on a big and exciting adventure. When they arrive at her cousin’s house, they are warmly welcomed and fed. However, what initially seems like a safe haven soon turns out to be a trap. Gal realises that not only her own safety is at risk, but also the future of her children.

The Best Mother in the World

2025

The Best Mother in the World poster
7.1

To escape her abusive husband, garbage collector Gal packs her two young children, Rihanna and Benin, onto the top of her cart and heads across São Paulo to her cousin’s house. As she struggles to avoid the dangers of the streets along the way, she convinces the children that they are on a big and exciting adventure. When they arrive at her cousin’s house, they are warmly welcomed and fed. However, what initially seems like a safe haven soon turns out to be a trap. Gal realises that not only her own safety is at risk, but also the future of her children.

The Best Mother in the World

2025

Durval Discos poster
7.2

Durval and his mother Carmita live at the back of a record store they own in São Paulo specializing in vinyl records. They lead a boring and unattractive life, until the day Durval hires a maid, Celia, to help his mother with the housekeeping. However, on her second day, Celia goes away leaving a 5-year-old child behind, Kiki, and a note promising to be back in a couple of days. Durval and Celia are charmed by the child at first, but soon they see some sad news about Celia and Kiki on TV that change the whole situation.

Durval Discos

2002

Durval Discos poster
7.2

Durval and his mother Carmita live at the back of a record store they own in São Paulo specializing in vinyl records. They lead a boring and unattractive life, until the day Durval hires a maid, Celia, to help his mother with the housekeeping. However, on her second day, Celia goes away leaving a 5-year-old child behind, Kiki, and a note promising to be back in a couple of days. Durval and Celia are charmed by the child at first, but soon they see some sad news about Celia and Kiki on TV that change the whole situation.

Durval Discos

2002

Irmã Dulce poster
7.7

Biographical film of Sister Dulce, who, in life, was called the “Good Angel of Bahia”, also nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize and canonized by the Catholic Church. Contemplating from the 1940s to the 1980s, the film shows how the Catholic nun faced an incurable respiratory disease, machismo, the indifference of politicians and even the dogmas of the Church to dedicate her life to the care of the miserable, leaving a legacy that continues today.

Irmã Dulce

2014

Paulista poster
4.1

Three metropolitan stories entwine in São Paulo. Would-be actress Marina arrives in the city looking for independence, falls madly in love with Justine, a bisexual rock singer, and is swept up into her wild, edgy lifestyle. Marina shares a flat on Avenida Paulista with Suzana, a mysterious lawyer who begins a relationship with a male colleague who is unaware that she's transsexual. Jay lives a few floors above them. He is a frustrated writer trying to give a meaning to his life by idealizing a stunningly beautiful prostitute, whom he transforms into a sort of muse. Following the frenetic pace of the city, the three "Paulista" characters will experience the euphoria of passion and its downside.

Paulista

2009

Rock Paulista poster
NR

A brief overview about the rock movement from São Paulo bands such as Titãs, Ira!, RPM and Mercenárias, presenting their performances from the festival Hollywood Rock in 1988. The documentary also presents interviews with some rock n'roll fans.

Rock Paulista

1988

Rock Paulista poster
NR

A brief overview about the rock movement from São Paulo bands such as Titãs, Ira!, RPM and Mercenárias, presenting their performances from the festival Hollywood Rock in 1988. The documentary also presents interviews with some rock n'roll fans.

Rock Paulista

1988

Babies Origins According to Kiki Cavalcanti poster
7.2

No synopsis available yet.

Babies Origins According to Kiki Cavalcanti

1995

Babies Origins According to Kiki Cavalcanti poster
7.2

No synopsis available yet.

Babies Origins According to Kiki Cavalcanti

1995

Castle Ra-Tim-Bum: The Movie poster
6.2

A young wizard must create new spells in his magic book before the planets align. His uncle and aunt, powerful mages themselves, help him achieve that. Based on the award-winning Brazilian TV series.

Castle Ra-Tim-Bum: The Movie

1999

Collect Call poster
5.7

A high class lady from Brazil falls into a fake kidnapping scam when she answers a stranger’s phone call. Believing that one of her daughters has been kidnapped, she is guided by a terrifying voice for 12 hours through the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Collect Call

2012

Collect Call poster
5.7

A high class lady from Brazil falls into a fake kidnapping scam when she answers a stranger’s phone call. Believing that one of her daughters has been kidnapped, she is guided by a terrifying voice for 12 hours through the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Collect Call

2012

Collect Call poster
5.7

A high class lady from Brazil falls into a fake kidnapping scam when she answers a stranger’s phone call. Believing that one of her daughters has been kidnapped, she is guided by a terrifying voice for 12 hours through the cities of Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro.

Collect Call

2012

Making of Durval Discos poster
NR

A look behind the scenes of Durval Discos, following the creative process, the production, and the decisions that shaped the project.

Making of Durval Discos

2003

Making of Durval Discos poster
NR

A look behind the scenes of Durval Discos, following the creative process, the production, and the decisions that shaped the project.

Making of Durval Discos

2003

Xingu poster
7.4

Three brothers embark on a journey that begins with a kinship with Brazil's indigenous tribes, to their creation of South America's largest national park.

Xingu

2012

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes poster
6.5

In São Paulo, Brazil, the lonely 40-something guitar teacher Baby lives a tedious life in a low middle-class apartment. She is addicted to her only companions: cigarettes. Baby has a constant conflict with her two sisters, over a couch she inherited from their deceased aunt. When Max, a restaurant musician, moves to the next door apartment, Baby has a crush on him and sees a chance to have a life again. Soon they start having a love affair, and Baby decides to quit smoking. However, her abstinence will be tough to deal with, when she notices Max still misses his ex-wife.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

2009

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes poster
6.5

In São Paulo, Brazil, the lonely 40-something guitar teacher Baby lives a tedious life in a low middle-class apartment. She is addicted to her only companions: cigarettes. Baby has a constant conflict with her two sisters, over a couch she inherited from their deceased aunt. When Max, a restaurant musician, moves to the next door apartment, Baby has a crush on him and sees a chance to have a life again. Soon they start having a love affair, and Baby decides to quit smoking. However, her abstinence will be tough to deal with, when she notices Max still misses his ex-wife.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

2009

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes poster
6.5

In São Paulo, Brazil, the lonely 40-something guitar teacher Baby lives a tedious life in a low middle-class apartment. She is addicted to her only companions: cigarettes. Baby has a constant conflict with her two sisters, over a couch she inherited from their deceased aunt. When Max, a restaurant musician, moves to the next door apartment, Baby has a crush on him and sees a chance to have a life again. Soon they start having a love affair, and Baby decides to quit smoking. However, her abstinence will be tough to deal with, when she notices Max still misses his ex-wife.

Smoke Gets in Your Eyes

2009

Desmundo poster
6.0

The story of Orisbela, a young and religious woman who comes from Portugal to Brazil to marry Francisco de Albuquerque, a rude sugar-cane plantation owner, in 1570.

Desmundo

2002

Alvorada poster
7.0

The film narrates, from an intimate point of view, the daily life of President Dilma Rousseff in her official residence, the Palácio do Alvorada, while awaiting the verdict of the impeachment process. Portraying the hallways of the palace, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, we see the coming and going of political meetings, the daily routine of the kitchen, the exchange of guards, whispers and phone calls. We feel the growing tension of officials, advisers and former ministers.

Alvorada

2021

Alvorada poster
7.0

The film narrates, from an intimate point of view, the daily life of President Dilma Rousseff in her official residence, the Palácio do Alvorada, while awaiting the verdict of the impeachment process. Portraying the hallways of the palace, designed by Oscar Niemeyer, we see the coming and going of political meetings, the daily routine of the kitchen, the exchange of guards, whispers and phone calls. We feel the growing tension of officials, advisers and former ministers.

Alvorada

2021

Let It Burn poster
6.8

A gritty observation of precarious romance, debauchery, and heartbreak between addicts living in a São Paulo hotel.

Let It Burn

2019

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval poster
5.0

No synopsis available yet.

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval

2021

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval poster
5.0

No synopsis available yet.

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval

2021

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval poster
5.0

No synopsis available yet.

Um Café com Meu Avô Durval

2021

While My Guitar Gently Weeps poster
5.0

Produced for TV Cultura within the project Telefilmes IV: Music and City, this made-for-TV film follows the story of Erica, a 14-year-old teenager growing up in Brazil, who has to learn how to deal with her British mother who is going off the rails. Living amidst an anxiety that switches between fear and love for her mother, Erica tries to find her way in a ship that seems to be sinking rapidly. It is in this moment that she picks up a guitar, and in her relationship with it, finds a way to re-shape her reality.

While My Guitar Gently Weeps

2013