Brazil submits Wagner Moura starrer ‘The Secret Agent’ for Best International Feature film category at Oscars 2025
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Brazil’s film world is buzzing with excitement as the country picks its next shot at Oscar glory. The Brazilian Film Academy has chosen director Kleber Mendonça Filho’s gripping 1970s thriller The Secret Agent as its official entry for the Best International Feature Film at the 98th Academy Awards. This announcement came on Monday, following a vote by a 15-member selection committee, as reported by Variety.
Starring Narcos favorite Wagner Moura and fresh off a big win at Cannes, The Secret Agent edged out two strong rivals: Manas, the debut feature from director Marianna Brennand, and The Blue Trail, Gabriel Mascaro’s story of personal awakening in later life. The decision builds on Brazil’s recent Oscar triumph—last year’s emotional drama I’m Still Here by Walter Salles marked the nation’s first-ever win in the category.
Up until late last month, experts and insiders were betting big on The Secret Agent, which Neon has snapped up for distribution. But Manas made a bold late surge when Hollywood star Sean Penn jumped on board as an executive producer earlier this month. Penn teamed up with I’m Still Here director Walter Salles, Palme d’Or winners Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne, and producer Maria Carlota Bruno. Fresh from successfully hyping I’m Still Here in Hollywood, Penn even co-hosted a Los Angeles screening of Manas with Julia Roberts just this Saturday.
The race wasn’t without drama. Last Thursday, nearly 70 major Brazilian companies and institutions—many led by women—signed an open letter backing Manas for the Oscar spot, according to Variety. Set in a picturesque Amazon riverside village, Manas follows 13-year-old Marielle as she rebels against a heartbreaking cycle of sexual abuse in her family and underage prostitution on passing river barges. The letter called for wider discussions to spotlight this urgent issue and push society to act.
Big names threw their weight behind it, including Luiza Helena Trajano of retail giant Magazine Luiza, Marize Mattos from mining powerhouse Vale, and Paulo Smara, CEO of Brazil’s top media company UOL.
On the awards front, The Secret Agent grabbed honors for best director (Mendonça Filho), best actor (Moura), and the FIPRESCI critics’ prize at Cannes. Meanwhile, Manas took home the best director award at the Venice Days sidebar. As Brazil’s Oscar entry for 2025 takes shape, fans are already debating which film could make history next.
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