Kleber Mendonça Filho navigates Brazil’s painful past to paint a loving portrayal of a place and its people in this slow-burning and ridiculously entertaining political thriller.

From acclaimed director Kleber Mendonça Filho, The Secret Agent is a gripping, mischievous political thriller that entertains as much as it provokes. Wagner Moura stars in a Best Actor–winning performance as Marcelo, a father on the run from a mysterious past amid the vibrant cultural landscape of 1970s Brazil. Arriving in Recife during Carnival with the hope of reuniting with his son, he is swept into a dizzying world of colour, commotion, unforgettable characters and secrets.

For our audience who caught Pictures of Ghosts here last year, this is another irresistible return to Recife Filho’s beloved urban geography, including several of the historic cinemas he so lovingly captured in that incredible documentary.

A deserving global awards contender, The Secret Agent heralds a bold new chapter in Brazilian cinema… and yes, there’s also a scene stealing cat.