Neon Acquires "The Secret Agent": Kleber Mendonça Filho's Political Thriller Starring Wagner Moura Secures US Distribution After Cannes Success

Brazilian film competing for the Palme d'Or will be released in North American theaters later this year, consolidating the international recognition of Brazilian cinema

Neon Rated Logotype - Bruce Yan

In a move that consolidates the growing international prestige of Brazilian cinema, independent distributor Neon announced today the acquisition of North American distribution rights to "The Secret Agent," a political thriller directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho and starring Wagner Moura. The news, reported by The Hollywood Reporter, comes just three days after the acclaimed premiere of the film in the official competition at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival.

Neon, known for distributing award-winning films such as "Parasite" and "Triangle of Sadness," plans to release the feature in North American theaters later this year, significantly expanding the international reach of the Brazilian production. This acquisition represents an important recognition for Brazilian cinema, especially considering the distributor's prestige in the independent circuit and its ability to position foreign films in the Hollywood awards season.

"The Secret Agent," in Portuguese language, is set in Recife, Brazil, during 1977, amid the military regime. The plot follows Marcelo (Wagner Moura), a technology expert who is being pursued by contract killers and federal agents. He arrives in Recife during carnival week, hoping to reunite with his young son and flee the country, only to discover that the city may not offer the refuge he seeks.

The cast also includes Maria Fernanda Cândido, Gabriel Leon, Carlos Francisco, Alice Carvalho, and Hermila Guedes, forming a group of Brazilian talents that has impressed international critics. The film's screening in Cannes last Sunday (18) was received with enthusiastic applause, and many critics already point to it as a strong contender for the Palme d'Or, which will be announced at the festival's closing on May 24.

This is Kleber Mendonça Filho's third film to premiere in the main competition at Cannes, after "Aquarius" in 2016 and "Bacurau" in 2019, which he co-directed with Juliano Dornelles and won the Jury Prize. The filmmaker from Pernambuco also served as jury president for the Critics' Week at Cannes in 2017, and his second documentary, "Pictures of Ghosts," premiered in the Special Screenings section of the festival in 2023.

For Wagner Moura, "The Secret Agent" marks a significant return to Portuguese-language cinema after several years working primarily in international English-language productions, such as Netflix's "Narcos" series and films like "Civil War" and "The Gray Man." His performance in the film has been widely praised, with many critics highlighting the intensity and nuance he brings to the character Marcelo.

The film is a production of Cinemasópio, MK Productions, Lemming Film, and One Two Films, produced by Emilie Lesclaux, Nathanaël Karmitz, Elisha Karmitz, Fionnuala Jamison, Olivier Barbier, Leontine Petit, Erik Glijnis, Fred Burke, and Sol Bondy. MK2 Films is handling international sales for the film, and the distribution deal was negotiated by Sarah Colvin and Jeff Deutchman from Neon, with Fionnuala Jamison from MK2 Films representing the filmmakers.

The acquisition of "The Secret Agent" by Neon fits into a broader context of growing international recognition for Brazilian cinema. In recent years, national productions have gained space at prestigious festivals and attracted the attention of global distributors, paving the way for greater visibility of Brazilian cinema abroad.

For us at Névoa Filmes, this news represents not only an achievement for Kleber Mendonça Filho, Wagner Moura, and the entire team of "The Secret Agent," but also an important milestone for Brazilian cinema as a whole. The acquisition by a distributor of Neon's caliber, known for its commitment to auteur cinema and its ability to connect foreign films with North American audiences, signals the potential of our cinema to transcend borders and dialogue with global audiences.

The political thriller, set during the Brazilian military dictatorship, also demonstrates how narratives that address specific historical and cultural aspects of Brazil can resonate universally, especially at a time when issues related to democracy, surveillance, and resistance are at the center of global debate.

As we await the verdict of the Cannes jury and the North American release of "The Secret Agent," this acquisition can already be celebrated as a significant victory for Brazilian cinema and a testimony to the artistic quality and relevance of the stories we are telling.

Sources:

• The Hollywood Reporter: "Cannes: Neon Picks Up Wagner Moura's 'The Secret Agent' Political Thriller," 05/21/2025

• Cannes Film Festival: "Official Selection - Competition," 05/2025

• Variety: "Kleber Mendonça Filho's 'The Secret Agent' Premieres to Strong Reviews at Cannes," 05/19/2025