Brazil's "The Secret Agent" Wins Big at Golden Globes, Makes History

The Brazilian film "The Secret Agent" secured a historic victory at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, winning the trophy for Best Non-English Language Film. Its success marks a watershed moment for Brazilian cinema on the international stage. The film, set during Brazil's 1970s military dictatorship, is a political thriller that explores surveillance, fear, and resistance. Its Golden Globe win follows significant acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, where it earned awards for Best Director and Best Actor.

Key Points: Brazilian Film "The Secret Agent" Wins Historic Golden Globes

  • Wins Best Non-English Language Film at Golden Globes
  • First Brazilian film nominated for Best Drama
  • Premiered at Cannes winning Best Director and Best Actor
  • Examines life under 1970s military dictatorship
  • Triumph for Brazil's film industry on global stage
2 min read

Brazilian Film "The Secret Agent" marks historic moment at Golden Globes

"The Secret Agent" wins Best Non-English Language Film at Golden Globes, a historic victory for Brazilian cinema and actor Wagner Moura.

"a historic victory for its lead star, Wagner Moura - Brasil 247"

São Paulo, January 15

Brazilian cinema marked a watershed moment on the global stage as The Secret Agent emerged as a major winner at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards, claiming the trophy for Best Non-English Language Film and delivering a historic victory for its lead star, Wagner Moura, as cited by Brasil 247.

The achievement has placed Brazil's contemporary filmmaking firmly in the international spotlight, sparking renewed discussion on political memory, democratic values and the power of culture to address the legacies of authoritarian rule.

According to Brasil 247, Helmed by acclaimed director Kleber Mendonca Filho, is set against the backdrop of 1970s Brazil, a period marked by military dictatorship and widespread repression. The film combines the tension of a political thriller with the visual language of classic noir, weaving a narrative centred on surveillance, paranoia and acts of quiet resistance.

Through its layered storytelling, the film examines how fear permeates everyday life and how individuals navigate moral choices under oppressive systems.

The film made its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival in 2025, where it quickly drew international attention. At Cannes, it earned significant honours, including awards for Best Director and Best Actor, along with multiple critics' prizes.

These accolades underscored the film's ability to resonate with audiences and juries well beyond Brazil, positioning it as one of the most talked-about Latin American productions in recent years.

At the Golden Globe Awards ceremony in Los Angeles, received three nominations: Best Motion Picture (Drama), Best Non-English Language Film and Best Actor in a Drama. Notably, it became the first Brazilian film ever nominated in the prestigious drama category, reflecting its broad critical and industry appeal.

The film ultimately won two awards, a result widely regarded as one of the most significant accomplishments for Brazilian cinema in the history of the Globes.

The success of ' is being seen not only as a triumph for its cast and crew, but also as a defining moment for Brazil's film industry, reaffirming its capacity to tell locally rooted stories with universal relevance.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Congratulations to the entire team! A film about resisting authoritarianism winning big on a global stage sends a powerful message. The themes of surveillance and moral choices under pressure feel very relevant everywhere today, not just in Brazil.
A
Aman W
While this is a great achievement, I do wish our Indian media would celebrate our own regional cinema's international wins with the same enthusiasm. A Malayalam or Bengali film wins at Cannes and it's a small column on page 7. A Brazilian film wins and it's front page news. Just an observation.
S
Sarah B
The description of the film combining political thriller with noir visuals sounds incredible. It's a reminder that some of the most compelling stories come from confronting difficult chapters of history. Hope it gets a wide release here in India.
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Vikram M
"Locally rooted stories with universal relevance" – that's the key takeaway for me. Bollywood and other Indian film industries should take note. We have so many untold stories from our own past that can resonate globally if told with honesty and craft. Well done, Brazil!
K
Kavya N
First Brazilian film nominated in the drama category at the Globes! That's a huge barrier broken. It paves the way for more non-English, non-Hollywood cinema to be taken seriously in the main categories. A win for diversity in true sense.

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