At the Rotterdam Film Festival, director Kleber Mendonça Filho lauded Oscar-nominated actor Wagner Moura for his generosity in 'The Secret Agent,' which earned four Academy Award nominations. In a Big Talk session, Mendonça Filho discussed the film's ensemble cast and decried outdated casting practices focused on looks. He also shared insights on cinema, families, and cultural authenticity.
Kleber Mendonça Filho, director of the Oscar-nominated film 'The Secret Agent,' spoke at the Rotterdam Film Festival's Big Talk on January 31, 2026, alongside Spanish filmmaker Carla Simón. The Brazilian director praised lead actor Wagner Moura, who received a Best Actor nomination—the first for a Brazilian in that category—as pivotal to the film's success. 'The Secret Agent' secured four Oscar nods, including Best Picture.
Mendonça Filho highlighted Moura's role in unifying the ensemble: 'Wagner was very important in making that whole ensemble work. Everything came together because of the main actor who believes in generosity.' The film features over 60 characters with lines, blending professional and non-professional actors. He emphasized, 'They are all great actors!'
The director critiqued outdated casting norms, stating, 'It’s not about good looks,' during the festival talk. He reflected on Brazilian diversity: 'Brazil has great faces – we are a mix of many different things.' Mendonça Filho advocated for authentic accents from his hometown Recife, noting actors often lose them for work, though changes are underway.
Discussing his filmmaking, he described shooting 'like maniacs' and focusing on challenging narratives about families and children. 'I’m fascinated by children and by trying to capture them with a camera,' he said, criticizing overly trained young performers. Simón echoed themes of family dynamics and the political intimacy of place.
Mendonça Filho shared early cinema memories, influenced by his cinephile mother who described Alfred Hitchcock's 'Vertigo' without naming it. Both filmmakers connected over portraying complex family ties and young protagonists naturally.
