Mubi is responsible for distributing Kleber Mendonça Filho’s new movie in the United Kingdom countries; Neon takes care of distribution in the United States
Mubi announced on Tuesday (30) that The secret agentnew feature of Kleber Mendonça Filho (Bacurau) and Brazil candidate at Oscar 2026, will reach the theaters of the United Kingdom on February 20. Starring Wagner Moura (Praia do Futuro), the film opens in the country just two days before the BAFTA ceremony, scheduled for February 22, which may limit the impact of its campaign on the British awards. Understand below:
How does BAFTA work?
BAFTA works differently from Oscar. The award organizes its categories at different voting phases: first, between December 5 and January 5, a jury elects the calls Longlistswhich bring together a dozen pre-Indicates in each category. Following, between January 9 and 20, there is a new round to select the five finalists of each dispute. Finally, the last vote, which defines the winners, takes place between January 28 and February 17.
How can the release date impact the BAFTA 2026 campaign?
With this calendar, the late debut of The secret agent It practically prevents the feature from being widely seen by the British public during the decisive stages of the vote. Despite having special sessions for BAFTA voters – if the production and distributor promote them – a more anticipated launch in commercial circuit would help to expand the “buzz” around the movie – it is worth saying that voters do not watch all the movies, they prioritize the most talked about, and have a late release only makes it difficult.
The case remembers what happened with I’m still here in BAFTA 2025. The feature Walter Salles (Central do Brasil) premiered in the United Kingdom only after the award. Despite the nomination the best non -English tongue movie, the film ended up losing to Emilia Pérez. Analysts even pointed out that FERNANDA TORRES (Foreign land) Could have been more likely to play a better actress nomination – a category that usually selects six names – if the campaign had told more visible in English lands.
Remember that the awards season often highlights productions that accumulate victories along the way. This was the case of the actress Mikey Madisonby Anorawhich came out of BAFTA 2025 and consolidated its trajectory until the Oscar for Best Actress beats. A more strategic release calendar is often decisive for a title to remain in evidence and create a narrative of favoritism.
In addition to the United Kingdom, Mubi is responsible for the distribution of The secret agent In Ireland, India and in several Latin American countries, while Neon takes care of the release in the United States. However, for BAFTA, where the presence in the British market is decisive, the chosen date should weaken the film’s race in the main categories.
Although the Brazilian feature still maintains strength and certain favoritism for nominations in its Oscar -to -the -way trajectory, the decision to debut only on the eve of BAFTA 2026 can make you lose space in the biggest awards of British cinema – a strategic detail that can also weigh in the season as a whole.
What is the story of The secret agent?
The plot is set in the 1970s and revolves around Marcelo (Wagner Moura), a university professor who runs away from Sao Paulo to Recife to escape government agents who seek him for subversive activities. However, he soon discovers that he is being spied on his neighbors.
In addition to Mourathe cast of The secret agent still has MARIA FERNANDA CANDID (Fantastic Animals: Dumbledore’s Secrets), Gabriel Leone (Senna), Alice Carvalho (New cangaço), Isabel Zuaa (The devil’s knot), Rubens Santos (Aquarius), Udo kier (Bacurau), Thomá Aquino (Crime DNA), Suzy Lopes (Paloma), Buddha lyre (Heavy is the sky), Carlos Francisco (Mars one), Wilson Rabhe (Bandit: number one) and Laura Lufési. Watch the first full trailer for the following feature:
Highlight in Cannes
During his time at the Cannes Festival, The secret agent took four awards, two from the official ceremony and two parallels, with emphasis on Wagner Mourawho became the first Brazilian to win the honor of best actor at the festival, Le Prix d’Antpretation Mascine.
He joins FERNANDA TORRES (Best actress per I know I’ll love you in 1986) and SANDRA CORVELONI (Best actress per Pass line In 2008) in the group of acting awarded with the highest honor honor in the prestigious Film Festival.
Furthermore, Kleber Mendonça Filho was the first Brazilian to win the award for best direction (Le Prix de la mise en scène) since Glauber Rochawho won the honor with The Dragon of Evil against the Holy Warriorin 1969.
Before the official ceremony, The secret agent It had already won two important parallel awards, the Criticism Award, offered by the International Federation of Critics (Fipresci), and the Prix des Cinémas Art etei, awarded by the French Association of Independent Exhibitors.
When debut The secret agent?
Besides driving, Kleber Mendonça Filho It is also responsible for the The secret agentthat debut on November 6, 2025 in Brazilian theaters. “We can barely wait to see the full movie theaters to check out the movie”celebrated the showcase films, responsible for the national distribution of the novelty, on social networks.
Also read: ‘The Secret Agent’: Marked to die at the Carnival of Recife
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Source: Rollingstone
Earl Johnson is a music writer at Gossipify, known for his in-depth analysis and unique perspective on the industry. A graduate of USC with a degree in Music, he brings years of experience and passion to his writing. He covers the latest releases and trends, always on the lookout for the next big thing in music.
