Filmmaker Praises Moura's Generous Spirit

Director Kleber Mendonça Filho recently lauded actor Wagner Moura at the Rotterdam Film Festival, emphasizing his generous contribution to "The Secret Agent." Filho believes films are powerful tools for showcasing a nation's diverse faces, referencing Brazil's rich cultural mix.

"The Secret Agent" earned four Oscar nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actor for Moura, who became the first Brazilian in that category. Filho described the film's production as intense, noting that all his films are director's cuts.

During a discussion with filmmaker Carla Simón, Filho shared his early cinematic influences, including Hitchcock's "Vertigo" and a "Tom & Jerry" marathon. Both filmmakers expressed a shared fascination with family dynamics and young protagonists.

Simón and Filho discussed the challenges of capturing children's natural behavior on screen, criticizing the unnatural performances sometimes seen. They also agreed on the deep connection between personal identity and one's place of origin, highlighting that intimate experiences are inherently political.

Filho also touched upon the importance of authentic regional accents in acting, contrasting it with older practices of accent erasure. He advocates for mixing extreme realism with artistic cinematic expression.