Based on the novel by Valencian writer Rafael Chirbes, the film tells the story of Ana and her family in a small village. The scars of the Spanish Civil War run deep, especially for Ana’s brother-in-law, Antonio. Ana tries to soothe his pain through food, quiet gestures, and unspoken understanding. But the arrival of Antonio’s new wife, Isabel, disrupts the fragile balance. Ana’s care and sacrifices prove to be of little value, reminding us that devotion is not always repaid.

With her usual finesse, the Andalusian filmmaker gives here voice to the countless anonymous women who lived within the boundaries of duty—cooking, sewing, and keeping silent—holding their families together while setting aside their own dreams and desires.