Brazilian cinema has once again taken center stage on the international stage with the victory of “The Secret Agent” at the 2026 Golden Globe Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. Directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, the film was acclaimed at one of the world’s leading audiovisual awards, marking a historic achievement for the country after almost three decades without winning in the category.
A report by G1 highlights the symbolic impact of the achievement for Brazil in the global film circuit. The last Brazilian victory in the category had occurred 27 years ago, with Central do Brasil . Upon taking the stage to receive the award, Kleber Mendonça Filho made a point of addressing the Brazilian audience directly. The filmmaker sent a “hello, Brazil,” thanked the cast, and highlighted his partnership with Wagner Moura, the film’s protagonist. ” The best things happen when you have a great actor and a great friend ,” said the director, praising the actor.
During his speech, Kleber also dedicated the recognition to the country’s new filmmakers and highlighted the historical context of contemporary cinema. “ I dedicate this film to young filmmakers. This is a very important moment in history for making films, here in the United States and in Brazil. We will continue making films ,” he declared.
After the awards ceremony, the director reiterated the importance of Brazilian audiovisual production during a press conference, answering a question from TV Globo. He highlighted the international reach of local narratives and encouraged new talents to continue filmmaking. “ We are very happy to see a Brazilian film generating so much good discussion about the history of Brazil. And I really want to see young Brazilian filmmakers. You can use the telephone, you can make your own project. When we talk from our homes, everyone around the world hears us, ” he said. In the Golden Globe competition, *The Secret Agent* competed with international productions such as *Sentimental Value *, * It Was Just an Accident *, *The Only Way Out* , *Sirat* , and *The Voice of Hind Rajab *. The winner was announced by actress Minnie Driver, the category’s presenter, who surprised everyone by beginning the announcement with a word in Portuguese: “ Parabéns ” (Congratulations), before announcing the film’s name in English.
Set in the 1970s, the film follows the journey of a university professor, played by Wagner Moura, who returns to Recife to reunite with his youngest son amidst the risks imposed by the military dictatorship. The narrative combines personal drama and political context, an element that has contributed to the film’s wide international impact.
The victory solidifies The Secret Agent as a recent landmark in Brazilian cinema and reaffirms the relevance of Brazilian stories when told from an authorial perspective, connected to the memory, politics, and identity of the country.
Source: brasil247.com