Wagner Moura Reveals His Four All-Time Favorite Movies
The Narcos star and Oscar contender shares his personal film picks, featuring Italian neorealism classics and Brazilian cinema gems that shaped his artistic vision.
While global viewers remember Wagner Moura primarily for his chilling portrayal of Pablo Escobar in Netflix's hit series Narcos, the Brazilian actor has now entered the Oscar conversation as a Best Actor contender. His powerful performance in The Secret Agent, Brazil's submission for Best International Feature, has earned him widespread critical acclaim following his Best Actor win at the Cannes Film Festival.
Moura's impressive resume includes recognition from the Critics' Choice Awards, Golden Globes, and New York Film Critics Circle. Beyond acting, he's also stepped behind the camera to direct the political thriller Marighella. Given his extensive international film experience, it's fitting that his four favorite movies represent diverse cinematic traditions from around the world.
Italian Cinema Masterpieces
Moura's first selection is Il Posto, a 1961 gem from Italian neorealism director Ermanno Olmi. While neorealism is typically associated with earlier works like Bicycle Thieves and Germany, Year Zero, this later masterpiece earned praise for its skillful balance of comedy and drama. The film even secured recognition at the Venice International Film Festival, cementing its place in cinema history.
His second choice, Cinema Paradiso, represents a more widely recognized feel-good classic. This enchanting coming-of-age tale follows a young Sicilian boy growing up near a magical movie theater. Despite its specific Italian cultural references, the film has captured hearts worldwide through its celebration of the moviegoing experience. In today's climate, where streaming giants like Netflix potentially threaten traditional theaters through acquisitions like Warner Bros, Cinema Paradiso feels particularly timely.
Brazilian Cinema Gems
Moura described Iracema – Uma Transa Amazônica as "a spectacular film" from his homeland Brazil. Released in 1974, this work coincidentally shares a time period with The Secret Agent's setting. While The Secret Agent explores how Brazilian culture endured under military dictatorship oppression, Iracema represents the Cinema Novo movement, where Brazilian filmmakers created socially conscious works emphasizing equality and justice.
His final pick, Terra Estrangeira, is an action film directed by Walter Salles. This choice reflects Moura's versatility, as he's appeared in both arthouse dramas and genre films like The Gray Man and Civil War. Salles recently made history by winning Brazil's fifth-ever Academy Award nomination for Best International Feature with I'm Still Here. Given the critical praise surrounding Moura's latest work, The Secret Agent could very well become Brazil's sixth nomination in this category.