The Secret Agent

Brazil, 1977. Marcelo, a technology expert and widower, is on the run. As the military dictatorship imposes increasingly brutal measures on the population, he arrives in Recife, hoping to reunite with his son. There, during the carnival week, he finds shelter with a group of like-minded individuals and adopts a false identity. But Marcelo’s situation is more precarious than he realizes: he soon comes to understand that the city is far from the violence-free refuge he is seeking. 

The Secret Agent is a simmering political thriller by director Kleber Mendonça Filho (Bacurau, Aquarius), who brings to life a tumultuous period in Brazilian history with his latest work. Through various storylines, he portrays a country ensnared in violence, corruption, and vendettas, a turbulent 1970s carefully constructed from personal memories, family histories, and archival material. 

With a mix of styles – tension, humor, and even a touch of horror – The Secret Agent is not only a captivating cinematic experience but also a historical document that provides a sharp analysis of both the present and past of Brazil. The fact that The Secret Agent gets under the skin is recognized by the international film community: it became the most awarded film at Cannes (Best Director, Best Actor), landed on many 'best of' lists, and is still competing in several Oscar categories, thanks in part to the phenomenal performance of lead actor Wagner Moura.