Wagner Moura won, on Tuesday night (6), the best actor award from the New York Film Critics Circle for his performance in the film “O Agente Secreto”, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho. At the same ceremony, the Brazilian feature was chosen as the best international film, consolidating yet another significant recognition from American critics for national production. The information was first reported by the newspaper O Globo.
The award ceremony gained even more buzz due to the speech delivered by actress Lupita Nyong’o, who presented the trophy to Wagner Moura. An Oscar winner for best supporting actress for “12 Years a Slave” (2013), Lupita highlighted the strength and sensitivity of the Brazilian actor’s performance.
“His performance (Wagner Moura’s) is extraordinary. Through silent resilience and beautiful subtlety, he illuminates what it means to embrace our history,” the actress stated during the ceremony. The New York Film Critics Circle is the oldest in the United States and brings together more than 50 members, considered one of the most respected film criticism organizations in the country.
The recognition of Wagner Moura and Kleber Mendonça Filho’s work reinforces the international prestige achieved by Brazilian cinema in recent years. Footage of the award ceremony was shared on social media by director Kleber Mendonça Filho, who described Lupita Nyong’o’s speech as “beautiful.” One detail that drew attention was that Wagner Moura’s name was used to name a drink served at the event.
In a lighthearted tone, the filmmaker commented: “The man is a cocktail,” while showing the actor holding the night’s menu. In addition to “O Agente Secreto,” the New York critics selected “One Battle After Another,” by Paul Thomas Anderson, as the best film of the year. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the production, which also earned Benicio Del Toro the best supporting actor award. Rose Byrne won best actress, Amy Madigan took the supporting actress trophy, and Jafar Panahi was named best director. The awards also honored categories such as screenplay, animation, cinematography, and documentary.
The ceremony in New York took place just days after “O Agente Secreto” won the best international film award at the Critics Choice Awards, also in the United States.
The feature has been accumulating accolades since its international premiere, including the International Critics’ Prize (FIPRESCI) at the Cannes Film Festival, where Wagner Moura was also honored as best actor and Kleber Mendonça Filho as best director. The successive wins at festivals and critics’ associations—such as the Los Angeles Film Critics Association (LAFCA) and the National Society of Film Critics (NSFC)—confirm the enthusiastic reception of “O Agente Secreto” by foreign critics and bolster Wagner Moura’s name among the major highlights of the current awards season.
Fonte: brasil247.com