By Josie Horneff, First Year, Philosophy and Theology
The Secret Agent (2026) is a political thriller which follows Marcelo, a Brazilian man attempting to ‘live under the threat of death’. Kebler Mendonca Filho creates a multi layered story following the lives of people in the 1970s Brazil. Epigram was kindly invited to an early screening at Watershed.
Cinematography is used to show the whole of São Paulo, from the visually stunning landscapes to the antiques placed in homes, camera work was used to cover the city from all lenses. The celebration of carnival dominates the streets to showing the rich culture surrounding the story and shed light on the violence which the vibrant colours conceal.
Filho uses popular pop culture references like Jaws (1975) and King Kong (1933) highlighting the fascination that animalistic threat has on society. The tension built in still frames of homes and everyday life really stood out to make the audience confront the feeling of threat closing in.
The song ‘Esquenta mulher’ by Orquestra Nelson Ferrira gives energy to the setting. The dynamic instrumentals used in this track and many others, created a theatrical element to the film. Portuguese music was used as a tool to keep the audience emerged in the surrounding culture. A standout song was ‘Nao Ha Mais Tempo’ by Angela Maria, with dream like instrumentals and a play into the romantic elements of the mystery that was unfolding before my eyes.
Despite the captivating instrumentals that were selected, it was often a tool to show the transition between private and public spaces. Music was displayed to be trickling into homes from the surrounding streets. It felt like we had an insight into conservation which were not culturally accepted in the streets of Brazil at the time. Music following the characters was a reminder that human behaviours exist within the context of the environment we find ourselves in.
Dead bodies with feet exposed is a reoccurring symbol. Wagner Moura through his character Marcelo, portrays being in deaths presence brilliantly, and how it makes us question the path we are walking and steps we are about to take.
The actors Hermila Guedes and Wagner Moura, create a beautifully realist portrayal of a relationship developed out of mutual loss and innate desires for companionship. Even the room they meet in, grieves Donna Sebastiana daughter. They both do an astounding job at depicting the limitations and walls people put up when they are living for past love.
This theme is further developed through characters having fake names for majority of their relationships with one another. Hermila impressively developed a subtle element of wisdom and worldliness to her character Claudia. This is powerful, despite not all the details of her past not being given to us, in the same way as the main character Marcelo. This was integral to the tone and the exploration of personal verses cultural identity, which I think ran through the whole film.
The use of costuming also really stood out visually and helped with creating a realistic image of 1970s Brazil. Bold patterns and primary colours from the Brazilian flag were always key to the outfits and architecture. Even in moments of shocking violence the intricate prints were always present.
This was very impactful because it was a detail which couldn’t be seen in the black and white images later in the plot. This intelligent way of using cinematography and textiles to comment on elements of the story which got lost and potential cultural erosion over time.
The film transitions through many forms of media to show the multi-generational impact that loss has. Filho succeeds in showing that through the development of media we are still unable to fully document human experience.
Jenna Baker
Overall, the film had a thought provoking plot with amazing built tension alongside the human connection and culture which kept it grounded. It's a really engaging watch.
The Secret Agent is on at the Watershed until March 19th, with £6 tickets available for people aged 24 and under here.
Featured Image: Watershed | Star Illustration: Epigram / Sophia Izwa
Will you watch The Secret Agent at the Watershed?
