Former U.S. President Barack Obama shared his annual list of favorite movies, music, and books on social media, a tradition eagerly anticipated by fans and cultural enthusiasts alike. Among the 11 films he highlighted this year is the Brazilian feature The Secret Agent / O Agente Secreto by acclaimed director Kleber Mendonça Filho.
Starring Wagner Moura, The Secret Agent has become a cultural sensation in the U.S., generating widespread acclaim after receiving three Golden Globe nominations—including Best Motion Picture Drama—and captivating audiences with its tense, gripping storytelling. The film seamlessly blends political intrigue, social commentary, and dark humor, cementing Mendonça Filho’s reputation as one of contemporary Latin America’s most innovative filmmakers.
Set in 1977, the film follows a widower who arrives in Recife, a city as vibrant as it is violent. A technology researcher, he suddenly becomes an unwitting target in the heart of the dictatorship’s political maelstrom. On the run from mercenary killers, haunted by ghosts of the past, and confronting the city’s ruthlessly mischievous spirit, his primary goal is to escape Brazil with his young son. With the help of a mysterious woman and her allies in the growing underground resistance, he navigates a tense, unpredictable world of danger and deception.
Its inclusion on Obama’s list underscores the growing international recognition of Brazilian cinema and highlights the universal appeal of stories that combine suspense with sharp cultural insight. For U.S. audiences, The Secret Agent offers both entertainment and a window into the complex realities of Brazil today, brought vividly to life by Moura’s riveting performance and Mendonça Filho’s masterful direction.
This marks the second time Obama has selected a film directed by Mendonça Filho, following Bacura, which appeared on his list of best films of 2020.
In this year’s list, Obama also included the documentary Orwell: 2+2=5 by Haitian filmmaker Raoul Peck among his favorite movies of the year.
