Aquarius 2016

1980: Aunt's birthday at the Aquarius building

Clara's family gathers at the Aquarius apartment building in Recife to celebrate her aunt's birthday. The aunt has just overcome breast cancer that cost her right breast, a detail that casts a solemn backdrop over the festive moment. The gathering roots the family in the same building that will frame Clara's life for decades.

Present day: Clara's solitary life in Aquarius

Now a retired journalist and writer, Clara lives alone in the same Aquarius building she has always inhabited. Her husband died 17 years earlier and her three children are grown and have moved out. Her only constant companion is her housekeeper Ladjane.

Bonfim's buy-out offer and Clara's refusal

Geraldo, head of the Bonfim development company, makes a bid to acquire Clara's apartment so the old building can be replaced with a larger project. With most other units already vacant, the sale would clear the way for a nondescript new complex. Clara refuses the offer despite pressure from the developers and even advice from her children.

Harassment begins: late-night disturbances

The developers, especially Diego, escalate pressure by staging loud late-night sex parties in the apartment directly above Clara's. The aim is to push her into submission and accept the buy-out. The harassment creates a tense, sleepless situation that tests her resolve.

Harassment escalates: burning mattresses

In addition to noise, the parking lot becomes a stage for intimidation as mattresses are burned, signaling a direct attempt to intimidate Clara. The goal remains the same: force her to abandon the building and sell. Clara's resistance intensifies as the pressure grows.

Open argument exposes a moral line

In a heated confrontation, Clara berates Diego, challenging the legitimacy of wealth without ethics. She makes it clear that education without decency amounts to nothing. The clash hardens the developer's resolve but also marks Clara's uncompromising stand.

Clara begins digging into Bonfim

Using her network of contacts, Clara begins digging into Bonfim's practices and history. She gathers information that could threaten the company’s public image and her own fight to remain in her home. The effort marks a turning point from passive resistance to active investigation.

Termite nest scheme revealed

Clara learns from two former Bonfim employees that Diego ordered termite nests to be installed in empty apartments to force her out. The revelation ties the harassment to a calculated plan rather than a series of random acts. The termites become a tangible weapon in the developers' campaign.

Termites confirmed through inspection

With help from Roberval, a lifeguard, and Cleide Vieira, a lawyer, Clara breaks into some vacant Bonfim apartments and confirms the nest of termites. The evidence strengthens her case and validates her suspicions about the developers' methods. The collaboration brings her closer to a confrontation that is more than personal.