Wagner Moura and Kleber Mendonça Filho Discuss Brazil’s Surprising Success with ‘The Secret Agent’
Wagner Moura expressed that every scene of The Secret Agent, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, resonates deeply with him. He remarked, “It’s hardcore to be vocal against [disgraced former Brazilian President Jair] Bolsonaro; it was not easy.”
The film, which is part of Neon’s international awards season coalition alongside titles like Sentimental Value and Sirāt, recently earned the Golden Globe for Best Non-English Language Film at the ceremony held at the Beverly Hilton.
On Tuesday night, Moura, Filho, and producer Emilie Lesclaux attended a Q&A session in London, followed by a reception at the Soho Hotel hosted by Mubi, the film’s UK distributor. The film, selected as Brazil’s entry for the international Oscar, is set to release in the UK on February 20.
In The Secret Agent, Moura portrays Armando, a professor entangled in the political upheaval of Brazil’s military dictatorship, striving to escape persecution while resisting an authoritarian regime. Although set in the 1970s, the film’s themes reflect contemporary Brazilian politics, particularly the era under Bolsonaro.
With Bolsonaro currently serving a 27-year prison sentence for planning a coup after his 2022 election loss, Filho shared with the audience that Brazil has embraced the film. He noted, “We’re actually in a much better moment now in Brazil. The former president is now in jail, and his inner circle are all in jail. The far right… they really don’t have a leader now. I think we’ve gone back to the democratic world… There is a deep sense of pride for the film. It’s a film very much about Brazil and about Brazilian history.”
The Secret Agent has emerged as “a very unexpected blockbuster,” according to Filho. It has been screening in Brazilian cinemas since November 6. Following its success at the Golden Globes, Filho reported that Brazil’s box office saw a remarkable 230 percent increase on Monday.
Produced on a budget of approximately $5 million, the independent film has surpassed one million viewers in Brazil, grossing around R$25 million (approximately $4.5 million). It is also among the few Brazilian films to exceed $1 million at the U.S. box office, currently standing at $2.1 million. When home entertainment sales are considered, its financial success is poised to grow alongside its critical acclaim.
The film is returning to 300 screens in Brazil. “There is a lot of discussion about it. The far right is writing about the film, which I’m surprised. I mean, I’m surprised they went to see the film, but of course it’s getting a lot of attention,” Filho commented.
Lesclaux remarked that events like the Golden Globes and the Oscars help unite people. She noted, “As happened with I’m Still Here, and I can see that even people in our building, we have a WhatsApp group and everybody was sending congratulations, even those who I know politically don’t align with us.”
Since winning accolades at the Cannes Film Festival last May, Moura has managed to spend some time with family in both Brazil and Los Angeles. However, he has primarily focused on promoting the film at various festivals, commencing with Telluride last Labor Day weekend.
Moura is set to adapt Stewart O’Nan’s novel Last Night at the Lobster, where he will both direct and star alongside Elisabeth Moss, Brian Tyree Henry, and Sofia Carson. The film portrays a seafood restaurant where employees face job loss during the holiday season, blending traditional American Christmas themes with influences reminiscent of the works of Ken Loach and Mike Leigh.
Looking ahead, Moura expressed a desire to return to London to see Marianne Jean-Baptiste perform in Arthur Miller’s All My Sons. He also plans to take part in a production of The Trail: The Enemy of the People, a modern adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s An Enemy of the People, directed by Christiane Jatahy, which is scheduled for festivals in Edinburgh, Avignon, and Amsterdam this summer.
When asked about his busy schedule, Moura admitted, “I’m tired, but I’m happy,” attributing his energy to regular periods of meditation, which he finds more restorative than naps.
Later during the Mubi event, Moura engaged in an insightful conversation with director Anthony Fabian, producer Colin Vaines, and Chilean producer-writer Gonzalo Maza about the merits of transcendental meditation and memorable advice from filmmaker David Lynch.
Meanwhile, Filho is taking his time with his next project, stating, “I’m taking my time” as he plans to focus on writing this year.
Set in 1930s Recife, Filho’s upcoming film will explore the cultural and political dynamics of the period, interweaving themes from Brazil’s history with references to the region’s role in film distribution during that era. He elaborated, “In the 1930s there was a culture war going on in the city… I want to develop something with all of that.”
Filho’s interest in cinema and its historical significance is also evident in his recent documentary, Pictures of Ghosts, which reflects on Recife’s vanished movie palaces. The political climate of Brazil serves as a backdrop for The Secret Agent, celebrating the country’s rich cinematic history through playful nods to classics like Jaws and King Kong.
Ultimately, Filho emphasized the importance of preserving existing cinemas, underscoring the need to protect the cinematic experiences of today.
