Wagner Moura Reveals His Top Four International Films

Wagner Moura, the Brazilian actor who made waves as Pablo Escobar in Narcos, has recently found himself in the thick of awards season thanks to his lead role in The Secret Agent. With the film representing Brazil in the Best International Feature category, Moura’s performance has already picked up a Best Actor gong at Cannes, along with nods from the Critics’ Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and the New York Film Critics Circle. It’s the sort of role that only comes to someone with a fair bit of experience under their belt. Moura’s also had a crack at directing, with the political thriller Marighella to his name. Given his work across a range of international productions, it’s no surprise his personal favourites are a mixed bag from around the globe.

Italian Classics and the Joy of Cinema

First up on Moura’s list is Il Posto, a gem from the Italian neorealism movement, directed by Ermanno Olmi. While neorealism is often linked to earlier works like Bicycle Thieves and Germany, Year Zero, this 1961 film stood out for its clever blend of humour and drama. It even picked up an award at the Venice International Film Festival. Moura’s next pick is a bit more familiar to most: Cinema Paradiso. This coming-of-age tale follows a young lad growing up near a magical picture house in Sicily. The film is packed with nods to Italian culture, but it’s the universal love of going to the flicks that’s made it a favourite worldwide. With the future of cinemas up in the air, especially with big players like Netflix eyeing off Warner Bros, Cinema Paradiso feels more timely than ever.

Brazilian Standouts and Social Commentary

Back on home turf, Moura singles out Iracema – Uma Transa Amazônica as “a spectacular film”. Released in 1974, right around the era depicted in The Secret Agent, this film digs into how Brazilian culture managed to keep its head above water during the country’s military dictatorship. It’s a solid companion piece, being part of the Cinema Novo movement, where filmmakers tackled social issues and pushed for equality.

Another local favourite is Terra Estrangeira, an action flick directed by Walter Salles. Moura’s fondness for this one isn’t too surprising, considering he’s popped up in everything from arthouse dramas to big-budget actioners like The Gray Man and Civil War. Salles, a heavyweight in Brazilian cinema, recently nabbed an Oscar for Best International Feature with I’m Still Here. With Brazil only having a handful of nominations in this category, there’s a fair chance The Secret Agent could be the next to get a look in, given all the buzz around Moura’s performance.

Wagner Moura’s Top Four Picks

Here’s the rundown of Moura’s all-time favourites:

• Il Posto (Ermanno Olmi, 1961)
• Cinema Paradiso (Giuseppe Tornatore, 1988)
• Iracema – Uma Transa Amazônica (Jorge Bodanzky, Orlando Senna, 1981)
• Terra Estrangeira (Walter Salles, 1995)