Wagner Moura: NYT Profile & Political Stance

Wagner Moura’s Defiant Path: From ‘Narcos’ to Oscar Buzz with ‘The Secret Agent’

The Brazilian actor Wagner Moura is experiencing a career renaissance, fueled by a steadfast commitment to artistic integrity and a willingness to challenge Hollywood expectations, culminating in a Golden Globe nomination for his role in “The Secret Agent.”

Moura’s current success stems from a rebellious streak, a tendency to act “like a child doing something they know their parents don’t approve of, but they do it anyway,” as he described it. This defiance first emerged after his breakout role as Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series “Narcos” a decade ago. Despite agents urging him to capitalize on the newfound fame with lucrative, high-profile projects, Moura repeatedly turned them down.

“They said: ‘Ah, you’re a Brazilian actor, you should be very happy with this offer,’” he recalled, admitting to a “pleasure in saying, ‘I’m not going to do that.’” This contrarian approach, ironically, has positioned him for the biggest global moment of his career with “The Secret Agent,” a vibrant political thriller that has already garnered him accolades including a Golden Globe nomination, and best actor awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the New York Film Critics Circle.

Despite facing competition from established stars like Leonardo DiCaprio, Timothée Chalamet, and Michael B. Jordan in the best actor category, many industry observers predict Moura will secure his first Oscar nomination for the film. Building a consistent acting career across two continents is a significant feat, but Moura, 49, has consistently delivered sensitive and intelligent performances in politically charged works, including “Civil War” (2024), the Apple TV+ series “Dope Thief,” and a recent adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s “An Enemy of the People” performed in his hometown of Salvador. Director Kleber Mendonça Filho, who specifically conceived “The Secret Agent” with Moura in mind, lauded his “progressive clarity as an artist,” noting that “his charisma comes from his constancy.”

Moura attributes his unwavering principles to his late father, an Air Force sergeant who instilled in him a strong sense of values. “He wasn’t politically active, but there was a question of values, of how you should behave as a person,” Moura explained. “I don’t want to sell myself as a moral compass, but I stay true to who I am and the things I believe are right.” He jokingly added, “It’s kind of arrogant to say that, but I’m going to say it anyway. I’m almost 50, so screw it.”

A recent encounter with Moura in Los Angeles, where he resides with photographer Sandra Delgado and their three children, revealed a lively and opinionated individual with an irreverent sense of humor. Mendonça Filho playfully remarked that “The Secret Agent” barely needs Dolby Atmos “because Wagner’s voice already has it.” The film itself draws strength from Moura’s attentive and compassionate portrayal of Armando, a widowed father on the run during the Brazilian military dictatorship, navigating a treacherous landscape while awaiting safe passage.

Following the success of last year’s Oscar winner for Best International Film, “I’m Still Here,” there is hope in Brazil that “The Secret Agent” will continue this momentum. However, Moura acknowledges that his outspoken political views have alienated some within his home country. His open criticism of former President Jair Bolsonaro sparked significant backlash, turning a substantial portion of the population against him.

“Politically, I never shied away from saying what I thought was right, even if I had to face the consequences,” Moura stated. This conviction resonates with his portrayal of Armando, a former teacher branded an enemy of the state simply for refusing to succumb to government corruption. “And I felt like that many times in Brazil,” he confessed.

Despite these challenges, Moura maintains a deep affection for Brazil, a country that launched his career through soap operas and the hugely popular police drama “Tropa de Elite,” whose lines remain ingrained in the national consciousness. He described Salvador as one of the world’s most diverse cities, playfully noting that “The Brazilian passport is the most sought after on the black market because anyone can be Brazilian.”

However, Moura doesn’t shy away from confronting Brazil’s darker aspects. “It’s beautiful, but Brazil is also violent, elitist, misogynistic and homophobic,” he asserted, identifying Bolsonaro as “the personification of all this.” As Moura and Mendonça Filho became more vocal about Brazil’s conservative shift, they faced increasing criticism from the right, including online harassment and, in Moura’s case, security measures at film screenings following the release of his directorial debut, “Marighella,” a biopic about a political figure from the dictatorship era.

“What the far right fears is not what we say, but what we do,” Moura observed, emphasizing that the film had a greater impact than any social media statement. Following Bolsonaro’s electoral defeat and subsequent conviction for attempting a coup, Moura has observed signs of reconciliation, with “The Secret Agent” selling a million tickets upon its release in Brazil. However, Mendonça Filho believes that approximately a quarter of the Brazilian population still holds a negative view of both artists.

“A segment of Brazilian society looks at us as if we were communists,” Mendonça Filho explained. This historical context deeply informs “The Secret Agent,” a film about a nation grappling with its past, particularly the amnesty laws that shielded perpetrators of the military dictatorship from punishment. “Bolsonaro would never have existed without this law,” Moura stated.

Moura highlighted the parallels between Bolsonaro and former U.S. President Donald Trump, both of whom claimed election fraud. However, he noted Brazil’s swift response to Bolsonaro’s attempted coup, resulting in his house arrest and a ban from political office until 2060. “It was fascinating how Brazil was extremely quick to arrest people, find financiers and revoke Bolsonaro’s political rights,” Moura said. “Are institutions in Brazil stronger than those in the US? I don’t think so. But, in my opinion, this happened because Brazilians know what a dictatorship is.”

Moura hopes that films like “The Secret Agent” and “I’m Still Here” will serve as reminders of this history. He believes that artists have a unique power to preserve memory, arguing that their legacy often outlasts that of politicians. “They all disappear, it’s like a wave,” he said. “Bolsonaro is in prison now, so, in the history books, he will be this fascist elected by Brazilians who attempted a coup d’état. Caetano Veloso will always be Caetano Veloso.”

When Moura first entered Hollywood, an agent advised him to be less selective, suggesting that each role builds toward the next. However, Moura remained skeptical. “Maybe it’s some kind of anti-colonial thing,” he joked. “I’ve never done anything for money or because it’s a big Hollywood hit that everyone goes to see. And especially after ‘Narcos,’ I don’t want to do anything that stereotypes Latinos.” This commitment to authenticity has prevented him from becoming Hollywood’s “first Latina choice,” but Moura wasn’t pursuing that label anyway.

“I want to play the same characters that white American actors my age are striving for,” he said. “I want to play characters called Michael who talk like I talk.” If Hollywood cannot offer these opportunities, he intends to create them himself. Moura is currently directing his first English-language film, “Last Night at the Lobster,” starring Brian Tyree Henry and Elisabeth Moss, which he describes as “a very political…anti-capitalist Christmas movie.”

While Moura received a Golden Globe nomination for “Narcos,” this moment feels different. He attributes this to his age and the deeply personal nature of “The Secret Agent,” a distinctly Brazilian project receiving unexpected global attention. Despite the pressures of awards season, Moura remained committed to his performance in an Ibsen play in Salvador, refusing to abandon the production for the campaign trail. “It’s something I’m proud of,” he said. “I don’t make concessions.”

If “The Secret Agent” opens new doors in Hollywood, Moura hopes it’s because of his personality, not an expectation to conform. So far, staying true to himself has proven successful. “Someone once told me that success is when you do what you’ve always done, but people suddenly start paying attention,” he said.