Aquarius and Bacurau filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho’s The Secret Agent offers a layered, time-shifting political crime thriller focused on a man’s journey of being pursued.
Predominantly set in the late ’70s in Recife, Pernambuco, the film seamlessly weaves between different eras, centering on Brazil’s military dictatorship period. The challenging theme is approached with empathy, featuring an engaging screenplay, outstanding performances, and a striking 1970s visual style that enthralls audiences.
In the main role, Narcos and Civil War actor Wagner Moura delivers a deeply introspective portrayal of a man justifiably suspicious as he tries to evade his nation’s oppressive regime. Moura’s performance secured him the title of Best Actor at Cannes, while Mendonça Filho was awarded Best Director. The Secret Agent explores the intricacies of widespread corruption and the urgent quest for freedom.
The Secret Agent navigates between historical and current events to create a multifaceted storyline.
Across three acts, expertly assembled by Eduardo Serrano and Matheus Farias, Mendonça Filho’s film operates on various timelines. In 1977, we are introduced to Armando (Moura), assuming the alias Marcelo, who has just arrived at a residential block in Recife during Carnival. With a compact Kodak box containing all his belongings, he reveals very little about himself. The apartments are overseen by the watchful matriarch Dona Sebastiana (Tânia Maria), who welcomes Armando warmly. During the Carnival festivities, Armando meets his neighbors, who are also political refugees, though not all accept that label. There’s Thereza Vitória (Isabél Zuaa), who escaped the Angolan Civil War with her companion, and single parent Claudia (Hermila Guedes), whose background is shrouded in mystery. Many are under the constant threat of death, much like Armando.
Corruption permeates the city streets, with police vans filled with corrupt officials. The most notorious is police chief Euclides (Robério Diógenes) along with his sons Arlindo (Ítalo Martins) and Sergio (Igor de Araújo), who become involved when a man’s severed leg is discovered inside a shark. This marks the onset of the violence in The Secret Agent.
The film gradually uncovers Armando’s circumstances: a widowed academic specializing in electrical engineering, he is fleeing persecution from the military government. His history of resistance against corporate exploitation and governmental red tape has made him susceptible and ultimately cost him his wife Fátima (New Bandits‘ Alice Carvalho). Escape proves challenging as he contends with corruption, surveillance, and dangerous individuals like hitman Bobbi (Ferrari‘s Gabriel Leone) and his stepfather Augusto (Roney Villela) who are pursuing him.
Others, including Dona Sebastiana and Elza (Vermelho Monet‘s Maria Fernanda Cândido), strive to assist threatened individuals in fleeing by providing witness protection and passports. Armando’s best opportunity lies in uncovering proof of his mother’s identity before he can leave Brazil with his son, who resides with his grandparents.
In the present day, two young detectives in São Paulo listen to recorded dialogues from Armando’s past, prompting us to ponder the trajectory of their investigation. Through Mendonça Filho’s inclusion of archival imagery, the film transforms into a valuable fictional artifact. The performances of the actors breathe life into this tumultuous historical phase, with Moura at the forefront.
Wagner Moura delivers an exceptional performance in The Secret Agent.
Moura, carrying multiple roles across different timeframes, justifies his Cannes Best Actor accolade in The Secret Agent. This role was penned specifically for him by Mendonça Filho. Armando, a quintessential hero pitted against corrupt forces while fearing for his safety and family, embodies the grave menace that perpetually hangs over him. Moura’s nuance and exasperation inject a deeply human courage into Armando, compelling viewers to empathize and root for him.
The Secret Agent boasts a genuine ensemble cast, with commanding performances from talents like Udo Kier as the expatriate tailor Hans and Diógenes as the corrupt police chief. Armando finds refuge with his father-in-law Sr. Alexandre (Carlos Francisco), proprietor of the local Cinema São Luiz, showcasing Brazilian and American horror movies. Through Evgenia Alexandrova’s stunning cinematography, Mendonça Filho’s love for cinema shines through, emphasizing its significance during chaotic times. The Secret Agent pairs well with the