The Best Mother in the World
The Best Mother in the World is a 2025 drama film directed by Anna Muylaert, co-written by Muylaert, Grace Passô and Mariana Jaspe. The film follows Gal, a hard-working waste collector mother who fights for the safety of her young children.
The film had its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2025. It was theatrically released in Brazil on 7 August 2025 by Galeria Distribuidora.
Synopsis
Gal is married to Leandro and has two children. She earns her living as a recyclable material collector. After suffering abuse from her husband Leandro, Gal seeks help by filing a complaint at a women's police station, but she doesn't receive the support she needs. Resolute in her desire to provide a better and safer life for her two children, she decides to leave her home, taking her children along in her cart. Gal tries to sell the difficult situation to her children as a great adventure.Cast
- Shirley Cruz as Gal
- Seu Jorge as Leandro
- Rihanna Barbosa
- Benin Ayo
Production
The Best Mother in the World is written and directed by Anna Muylaert, in collaboration with Grace Passô and Mariana Jaspe. The production is by Ricardo Costianovsky, Tomás Darcyl, from the Telefilms group, Clara Ramos, from Galeria Distribuidora, Bianca Villar, Fernando Fraiha and Karen Castanho, from Biônica, and Gabriel Gurman. The cinematography is by Lílis Soares. Principal photography began on November 22, 2023 on locations in São Paulo in Brazil,Release
The Best Mother in the World had its world premiere in the Berlinale Special section of the 75th Berlin International Film Festival on 15 February 2025.The film was released in Brazilian theaters on 7 August 2025.
The film competed in the Biarritz Film Festival on 21 September 2025, where it won Jury Coup de Coeur award.
Accolades
| Award | Date of ceremony | Category | Recipient | Result | |
| Guadalajara International Film Festival | 14 June 2025 | Best Screenplay | Anna Muylaert | Won | |
| Guadalajara International Film Festival | 14 June 2025 | Best Performance | Shirley Cruz | Won | |
| Guadalajara International Film Festival | 14 June 2025 | Best Cinematography | Lílis Soares | Won | |
| Biarritz Film Festival | 26 September 2025 | Jury Coup de Coeur | The Best Mother in the World | Won |