Three Summers 2019

Over the span of three summers, Madá (played by Regina Casé), who works as a housekeeper in a luxurious villa located in an upscale coastal town in Brazil, showcases her cleverness and keen instincts as she navigates through turbulent times. When her employers, Edgar (portrayed by Otávio Müller) and Marta (played by Gisele Fróes), become embroiled in significant corruption scandals, the villa is left abandoned, leaving Madá and her fellow employees in a lurch without their wages.

In 2015, Madá nurtures a dream of establishing a roadside kiosk, and to help her vision come to life, Edgar provides her with funds to secure a parcel of land. However, the situation swiftly deteriorates for the owners in 2016 as law enforcement apprehends them, uncovering damning evidence of fraudulent activities including bogus accounts and transactions. To compound the issue, it comes to light that Edgar had been misusing Madá’s identity to acquire illicit cellphone numbers.

Fueled by her resourcefulness, Madá orchestrates a sale of the owners’ extravagant items—ranging from designer shoes and clothing to exquisite statues—to compensate her fellow helpers, who briefly relish in the luxurious experiences the villa has to offer, from swimming pool extravaganzas to champagne indulgences. During this chaotic time, she allies with Mr. Lira (played by Rogério Fróes), the father of Edgar, who is temporarily residing in the villa while his own apartment in Copacabana undergoes renovations. Together, they seize the opportunity to advertise the villa for short-term rentals, attracting a film crew that welcomes Madá into their production, a venture that allows her to share glimpses of her own challenging life.

As part of her new endeavors, she takes tourists on outings aboard the family’s opulent yacht, offering insights into the lives of the wealthy, the celebrated, and even the infamous in the area. In her relationship with Mr. Lira, who faces his own struggles as he relies on a wheelchair, Madá discovers a compassionate ally, especially considering Mr. Lira’s shame over his son’s misdeeds.

By the third summer in 2017, the narrative shifts as Edgar is set to face house arrest at the property while Marta, unable to cope with the unfolding circumstances, has departed. Madá and the other staff members prepare for the inevitable departure from the villa. However, fortune smiles upon Madá when Mr. Lira unexpectedly passes away, bequeathing his Copacabana apartment to her instead of his own family. As the New Year approaches, Madá and her friends gather to celebrate from the comforts of her new apartment, a stone’s throw away from the famous beach, ready to embrace the future with hope and newfound opportunities.