Brazilian Film Director Gets Award in Red Carpet Ambush
Critics Choice Awards sparks outrage after presenting Best Foreign Language Film trophy during casual red carpet interview instead of main ceremony stage presentation.
Movie fans erupted in anger after witnessing how Critics Choice Awards organizers delivered the Best Foreign Language Film trophy to "The Secret Agent" filmmakers. Wagner Moura's Brazilian drama earned widespread praise and dominated the 2025 Cannes Film Festival with multiple wins. But the award ceremony treatment left viewers stunned.
E! Network announced the victory during a red carpet chat with director Kleber Mendonça Filho. The interviewer told Filho and producer Emilie Lesclaux she had a "pleasant surprise" before handing over the trophy. Both recipients appeared shocked by the unexpected presentation format.
Social Media Erupts Over Award Presentation
Viewers called the move insulting. Many argued it suggested foreign films don't deserve main stage recognition. Filho and Lesclaux looked genuinely surprised, indicating they weren't warned about this arrangement beforehand.
BuzzFeed's Spencer Althouse criticized E! for randomly announcing "lesser" categories on the red carpet. He noted winners seemed confused, thinking it might be a joke. The interview host didn't allow time for acceptance speeches or discussion of their work.
Twitter users expressed fury over the perceived disrespect. One fan wrote the situation felt like organizers wanted the filmmakers "out of there as quickly as possible." Others pointed out how mainstream awards consistently sideline international categories.
The Film Behind the Controversy
"The Secret Agent" features Moura as Armando, a former professor caught in Brazil's military dictatorship. Critics praised his performance as one of cinema's best portrayals of life under authoritarian rule. Moura received a Golden Globe nomination for Best Actor in a Motion Picture Drama.
The movie made the Academy Awards shortlist for Best International Feature Film as Brazil's official entry. The cast includes Carlos Francisco, Tânia Maria, and Gabriel Leone. It marks the final screen appearance of recently deceased actor Udo Kier.
The film won its award on a night when Timothee Chalamet, "One Battle After Another," and "Sinners" claimed major victories. "The Secret Agent" continues playing in select US theaters.