The Chilean film The Mole Agent / El agente topo, the fourth production by director Maite Alberdi, made the Oscars 2021 shortlists for both International Feature Film and Documentary Feature, becoming (along with Rumanian film Collective by Alexander Nanau) only the third—and first Latin American—film to be shortlisted in both categories after Wim Wenders’ Pina (Germany) in 2011 and Honeyland (Macedonia) in 2019.
“It is an honor that The Mole Agent has taken this first big step on its way to the Oscar”, said Alberdi quoted on CinemaChile, adding that “in a year that has really challenged us as a team in terms of raising international visibility without leaving our homes, there’s no doubt that this is truly unprecedented recognition of a Chilean documentary in Hollywood. We are representing our country and we are excited to see and hear how the international industry has been moved by the film, and how it has been able to put social issues on the agenda ”.
The film follows 83-year-old Sergio, who, when sent as an undercover spy to a retirement home to investigate suspected neglect, learns a deeper lesson on human connection. Through the lens of the hidden camera in his decoy glasses, viewers watch as Sergio struggles to balance his assignment while becoming increasingly involved in the lives of several residents.
The Mole Agent had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2020 and has had a successful international run. It recently had its U.S. broadcast premiere as part of the 33rd season of the prestigious POV series on PBS, and was also nominated for Best Documentary at the Film Independent Spirit Awards.
Only three Chilean films had made the Oscar shortlist in the past for Best International Feature Film (formerly known as Foreign Language Film): Machuca by Andrés Wood (2004), No by Pablo Larraín (2012), and A Fantastic Woman / Una mujer fantástica by Sebastián Lelio (2017). Alberdi’s film aims to become the second Chilean Academy Award winner after Lelio’s win in 2018.
Watch the trailer:
