https://rollingstone.com.br/cinema/o-agente-Secreto-sera–rensentante-do-brasil-no-oscar-2026/

The Brazilian Academy of Cinema officialized the choice: The secret agent was selected to represent Brazil in the dispute of Best International Film of Oscar 2026. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filhothe film has been adding international attention since its exhibition in the 2025 Cannes Festival And it arrives at the American award race as one of the most commented names of recent Brazilian cinema films.

Set in Recife, in 1977, The secret agent accompanies Marcelo, a technology expert interpreted by Wagner Moura (Mrs. and Mrs. Smith), who returns to the city in search of quiet and ends up confronted by mysteries of the past and threats in the present. The narrative mixes political suspense and historical drama, sewing northeastern ambience with an intimate and, at the same time, public scope – an element that has yielded praise to the direction and the cast.

The reception in Cannes reinforced the projection of the film: the production won important awards in the 2025 edition, with Wagner Moura being recognized as Best actor and Kleber Mendonça Filho receiving mention as director, as well as awards from specialized critics. This international recognition was decisive for the title to become the country’s official bet on the awards season.

The choice was not unanimous in the sense of absence of competition: The secret agent won a dispute that included films such as Manas (Mariana Brennand), The last blue (Gabriel Mascaro), White kasa (Luciano Vidigal), West again (Erico Rassi) and Baby (MARCELO CAETANO). The commercial debut in Brazil is scheduled for November 6, 2025, and the expectation now is to measure whether the prestige at festivals will become enough visibility to advance to the difficult race of the Oscars.

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• Kleber Mendonça Filho

• The secret agent

• Oscar