'I've been advised not to say certain things': The Secret Agent makers on Oscars, dictators and death threats

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Defeated Donkey

The Secret Agent's Oscar Run is Shaped by Personal Experiences of Persecution

Best picture and best actor nominations for The Secret Agent have catapulted Wagner Moura to the pinnacle of success, but what drives the 49-year-old actor and his director Kleber Mendonça Filho? Theirs is a tale of tumultuous Brazilian politics, personal sacrifice, and an unyielding commitment to artistic freedom.

A Two-Decade Friendship Rekindled

The unlikely duo first met in London in 2005 when Filho was a film critic. The bond between them strengthened over time, fueled by their shared origins in the impoverished north-east of Brazil and their experiences as artists under siege from the south-east elite. In an era where artistic expression is constantly tested, their friendship serves as a beacon of solidarity.

"We've been attacked for our work," says Filho, recalling the backlash against his film Aquarius. "But this time it feels different." Filho and Moura have long faced criticism, with some even suggesting that the Brazilian government funded Moura's film about Carlos Marighella, a revolutionary who was killed by the military dictatorship. The director dismisses these claims as "cynical" and "unofficially sabotaged."

The Secret Agent: A Personal and Historical Response

When asked to describe the film, Filho says it is not just a historical drama but also a response to the turbulent decade in Brazilian politics that he and Moura endured. The story centers around Armando, a widowed academic hiding out in a refugee's safe house in Recife during the dictatorship. As Moura recounts, "In the film, you've got an honest man who doesn't follow the script." This narrative is woven together with meticulous period detail and B-movie-style touches that leave viewers on edge.

The film has become a cultural phenomenon, earning praise for its gritty portrayal of military brutality and clever use of satire. In mixing politics and entertainment, Filho takes cues from American independent filmmakers like John Sayles, whose works span exploitation shockers to liberal dramas. The Secret Agent thus becomes a microcosm of Brazilian society during the dictatorship.

The Power of History and Art

Filho's preoccupation with history is evident in every frame, as he seeks to memorialize struggle and injustice through his work. By recording Armando's voice in modern times, Filho amplifies the story's power and blurs the lines between past and present. This narrative approach is characteristic of their artistry.

When asked about the current relevance of The Secret Agent, Moura responds with urgency: "The way autocrats discredit journalists and people get information from social media scares me." Filho echoes his sentiments: "You can't be a serious artist without exposing your views on things. If you keep quiet, I won't respect you."

The Line Between Artistic Freedom and Personal Discomfort

As for Moura's reluctance to speak out against current world leaders, he remains resolute but cautious: "I've been advised not to say certain things." Filho echoes his sentiments, suggesting that actors must use their platform responsibly. When asked if he'd be discouraged from speaking out today, Moura hesitates before delivering a bold declaration: "But I'll keep saying it, right?"
 
🎥👀 Wagner Moura's Oscar nod is no surprise, but what's fascinating is that his performance in The Secret Agent is coming from a place of personal experience. As someone who's been vocal about Brazilian politics and social issues, Moura's character's struggle to remain neutral in the face of oppression feels eerily relatable. Meanwhile, Kleber Mendonça Filho's direction is all about shedding light on history and using satire as a tool for commentary - it's like he took a cue from John Sayles' playbook 📚. The fact that this film has become a cultural phenomenon speaks to the power of art in sparking conversations and challenging our perspectives 💬. But what's also interesting is how Moura's reluctance to speak out against current world leaders highlights the tension between artistic freedom and personal discomfort - it's like he's caught between two worlds 🌐.
 
🤝 I'm low-key freaking out over The Secret Agent's Oscar run! 🎥 It's not just about Wagner Moura's incredible performance; it's about Kleber Mendonça Filho's unwavering commitment to telling the truth. As an artist, he knows his work can be a double-edged sword, but he won't back down from sharing Brazil's complex history and politics on the big screen.

What I love most is how this film has become a cultural phenomenon – it's like we're all discussing the same thing! 🤔 People are hungry for stories that spark conversation, not just entertainment. The way Filho blends historical accuracy with satire is pure genius 🙌. If you haven't seen it yet, grab some popcorn and get ready to be on edge!

One thing I'm curious about is how this film will impact Moura's career – he's clearly put his stamp on the industry. Will we see more socially conscious roles for him? One thing's for sure: The Secret Agent has cemented its place in Oscar history, and it's all thanks to Filho and Moura's fearless storytelling 💥
 
<font color="#00bfff">Imagine a giant spider web 🕷️, with threads connecting the director and actor, Kleber Mendonça Filho and Wagner Moura. Each thread represents their friendship, which has been strengthened over two decades 💕. Now, the web is expanding as their film The Secret Agent gains international recognition 🌎.</font>

<font color="#ff69b4">The web's center is where they've been attacked for their work in the past 🔥, but now it feels different 🔮. This time, it's not just about artistic freedom, but also about exposing the truth and standing up against injustice 💪. The Secret Agent is a testament to their commitment to using art as a powerful tool for social change 🎨.</font>

<font color="#8bc34a">The film's intricate period detail and satire are like a puzzle piece that fits perfectly into our understanding of Brazilian history during the dictatorship 🧩. As Filho says, 'You can't be a serious artist without exposing your views on things.' 🔥 The line between artistic freedom and personal discomfort is blurred, but the end result is a powerful message that resonates with audiences worldwide 💬.</font>

<font color="#3498db">The Secret Agent is not just a film; it's a conversation starter 🤔. It sparks debate, reflection, and empathy in viewers. As Moura says, 'I'll keep saying it, right?' 💫 Their artistry is like a beacon of hope in these uncertain times ⚡️.</font>
 
🤔 The Secret Agent's Oscar run is super inspiring. I mean, to think that two guys who've faced all this backlash just want to make art and share their experiences with the world... it's actually kinda beautiful 🌟. I can see why they'd want to highlight the importance of artistic freedom - as an artist myself, I know how hard it is to keep your voice without getting silenced 🗣️. But at the same time, I get why they're hesitant about speaking out against certain people in power... gotta be careful who you cross 🔥. Anyways, The Secret Agent's success just goes to show that art can be a powerful tool for change 💪🏽.
 
You know what's wild about The Secret Agent's Oscar run? It's like they're trying to send a message that art can heal and bring people together... but in the process, it also exposes the dark truths we'd rather ignore 🤯. Wagner Moura and Kleber Mendonça Filho are speaking truth to power, but at what cost? They're basically saying "we got attacked for our work" which is kinda like saying "I'm trying to protect myself from the system". It's a delicate balance between artistic freedom and personal discomfort... can't we just have both without getting hurt? 🤷‍♀️
 
omg I think its so cool how they got funded for the film despite all the backlash 🤯💥 the way Kleber Mendonça Filho and Wagner Moura worked together is like a testament to their unbreakable bond 💕🎥

I'm loving how The Secret Agent tackles history with such nuance, it feels like they're trying to make sense of this crazy time period in Brazil 🤯📚 the satire parts are so clever, I was totally on the edge of my seat 🎥😲
 
OH MY GOSH, THIS FILM IS LIKE, SO POWERFUL!!! 🤯 IT'S NOT JUST A MOVIE ABOUT A REVOLUTIONARY, IT'S ABOUT THE PEOPLE WHO LIVED THROUGH THAT TIME AND THE SYSTEM THAT'S STILL TRYING TO Silencing them TODAY!!! 😱 I LOVE HOW THE DIRECTOR AND LEAD ACTOR WAGNER MOURA ARE BOTH COMING FROM SUCH PERSONAL EXPERIENCES OF PERSECUTION, IT MAKES THE FILM SO RELATABLE AND HONEST 🙏
 
The Secret Agent is defo getting a lot of hype for its Oscar run, but you gotta wonder how much of this is really about the film itself and how much is Wagner Moura's personal story as an actor getting some much-needed attention 🤔. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's cool that he and Kleber Mendonça Filho are getting recognition for their artistry, but let's not forget that this film is based on a real-life event and there's definitely more to the story than just Moura's experiences as an actor 🎥. It's also interesting how much of the narrative is centered around the dictatorship and military brutality - I feel like that could be a bigger part of the conversation around this film, you know? The line between artistic freedom and personal discomfort is blurry enough in general, but when it comes to something like this that tackles heavy politics and history, it's even more complicated 💡.
 
omg 😍 i think its wild how the director and actor's personal experiences of persecution drove the film. like wagner moura has been open about his past struggles and how they've influenced his work - its so inspiring to see him using his platform for social change 🤝

i also love how kleber mendonça filho is unapologetically committed to artistic freedom, even when it means taking risks. like he's not afraid to tackle tough topics or challenge the status quo 🙌 and its clear that their friendship has been a source of strength and inspiration for both of them 💕

i think its also worth noting how the film is more than just a historical drama - its also a response to the current state of politics and media. like moura says, it's not about following the script or conforming to what's expected of us - its about using our voices to speak truth to power 💯
 
The Secret Agent is like, totally on point 🤩! Kleber and Wagner's collab is more than just a movie, it's a statement. The way they wove together historical fact and personal experience is pure genius 💡. I mean, who else can make a film about a refugee safe house during the dictatorship feel so relevant today? 🙏

And that two-decade friendship between Kleber and Wagner is like, the ultimate bromance 😂. You can totally see why they're each other's rock, especially in times of turmoil. Their passion for art and freedom is infectious – I'm totally here for it 💖.

The way Filho uses satire to tackle heavy topics is pure gold 🌟. And Moura's portrayal of Armando is like, wow 🤯. He completely immerses himself into the character, making you feel every ounce of fear and struggle.

For real though, The Secret Agent is more than just a movie – it's a movement 🔥. It's about using your voice to speak out against injustice and fighting for artistic freedom. If we can learn from Kleber and Wagner's commitment to their craft, maybe we can create some change 🌈
 
I'm just not buying all this Oscar hype 🤔🎥. It's like everyone's forgetting that The Secret Agent is actually an extension of Kleber Mendonça Filho and Wagner Moura's own experiences with persecution and criticism 🚫. Newsflash: even if the film has historical significance, it doesn't automatically mean it's good for awards season 🤷‍♀️.

And don't get me wrong, I love a good period drama as much as the next person 🕰️, but let's not pretend that this is some kind of groundbreaking masterpiece 💥. It's just a movie about a guy who hides out in a refugee safe house and narrates his own story on camera 📻. Give me something with more substance and less 'artistic freedom' wankery 🎨.

I'm also pretty tired of the whole "cultural phenomenon" narrative 💥. Can we talk about the film's actual artistic merits for once? Or are we just going to attribute its success solely to the fact that it's a juicy, timely drama about Brazil's military dictatorship 🔥?
 
the fact that these 2 guys went through all that and are still making art about it is super inspiring 🤯 ... like, they're not just actors/directors, they're also kinda politicians in the sense that they're using their platform to speak truth to power... but at the same time, Kleber Mendonça Filho's commitment to artistic freedom is so refreshing 🎥👏
 
🤦‍♂️ I'm so over the Oscars and all the drama surrounding them. It's just another excuse for people to get all sappy about art and politics... or in this case, an actor's personal experiences of persecution 🙄. Can we talk about how long it takes to get from "Best Picture" winner to "I'm a Serious Artist Without Exposing My Views"? Like, what's the deal with that? And don't even get me started on the "unofficially sabotaged" claims 🙃. Just give us a break and tell us if the government really funded this movie or not already.
 
omg u know what's crazy? i just saw the funniest vid of some cat trying to 'help' its owner with cooking 🐈😹 and then u got this deep convo about brazilian politics 🤯 what's next? are we gonna talk about the best ways to organize a kitchen drawer while maintaining artistic freedom 📚👩‍🍳
 
"Be the change you wish to see in the world." 🌎💪

People need to understand that as long as we continue to create art and speak our minds, there will always be someone who disapproves of us. But if we stay true to ourselves and what we believe in, then those voices are just amplified by our existence.
 
The whole thing feels super intense 💥 and I'm all about the power of art bringing attention to historical struggles 🎬💪. It's like, Filho & Mendonça really have something special going on with The Secret Agent - it's not just a film, but a way for them to process their own experiences & put 'em out there for us 🤝. I love how they're not afraid to take risks & speak truth to power 🗣️...
 
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