Actress Fernanda Torres and director Walter Salles joined actor Wagner Moura and filmmaker Kleber Mendonça Filho in a conversation to promote the film 'The Secret Agent' during its Oscar campaign. Part of the discussion was shared on the film's social media for the US audience. The participants addressed the challenges of representing Brazil and themes of national identity.
The conversation, partially shared on the film's social media aimed at the US audience, took place amid the Oscar campaign for 'The Secret Agent', scheduled for March 15, 2026. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura, the film is nominated in four categories, including best international feature, best picture, best actor for Moura, and best casting direction. One competitor is the film 'Sentimental Value'.
Fernanda Torres discussed the difficulty of explaining Brazil to foreigners: "It's always complicated to explain what the hell Brazil is. And then, suddenly, we have two films competing for the Oscar that mean something to the world." She referred to 'The Secret Agent' and 'I'm Still Here'.
Kleber Mendonça Filho pointed out common elements between the Brazilian productions: "The key to success, something that unites 'I'm Still Here' and 'The Secret Agent', is that we deal with difficult times in politics and society, but we still keep a cheerful side in both films."
Walter Salles stated that the film changed perceptions of Brazilian identity: "The film changed our own perception of our identity, in the best way possible." Wagner Moura added: "It's beautiful that we can do this too, not only for abroad, but also for ourselves."
The plot of 'The Secret Agent' follows a professor who leaves São Paulo for Recife to escape threats during Brazil's military dictatorship. The film has already won over 60 awards at international events. Mendonça Filho, known for works like 'Neighboring Sounds', 'Aquarius', and 'Bacurau', which explore memory, history, and social transformations, revealed in an interview with GQ Brasil that he is working on a new project set in the 1930s, despite his busy promotion schedule.
