Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent” Boosts Tourism and Cultural Pride in Recife

The success of Kleber Mendonça Filho’s film, “The Secret Agent,” is having a significant impact on tourism and cultural identity in Recife, Brazil. Nominated for multiple Academy Awards – including Best Picture and Best International Film – the film is drawing attention to the city and challenging stereotypical representations of Brazil’s Northeast region.

A Film Rooted in Recife’s History

“The Secret Agent” is set in Recife in 1977, during Brazil’s military dictatorship. The film showcases the city’s blend of folkloric traditions and cosmopolitan influences, as well as its unique brutalist architecture and lesser-known cultural heritage. The film has garnered awards at the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes, including Best Director for Mendonça Filho at Cannes and Best Non-English Language Film at the Golden Globes.

Beyond the Awards: A Regional Triumph

For the historically marginalized Northeast region of Brazil, the film’s success represents more than just accolades. Mendonça Filho emphasizes the importance of shifting the focus of Brazilian audiovisual production away from the traditional centers of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. “It is important that the pedestal and the microphone are moved,” he stated, according to AFP.

Challenging Stereotypes

Historian Durval Muniz de Albuquerque Junior highlights the film’s importance in dismantling “a stereotypical image of the Northeast,” which is often portrayed negatively. He expressed satisfaction that Mendonça Filho and other regional filmmakers are actively working to challenge these perceptions.

Tourism Inspired by the Film

The film has spurred a new wave of tourism in Recife. Tour guide Roderick Jordao created a guided tour of the film’s shooting locations, including the iconic São Luiz cinema. La Ursa Tours, Jordao’s agency, has seen increased interest in this thematic tour, attracting visitors from across Brazil.

“No campaign by the authorities could have given such publicity” to the city, Jordao believes. Tourists like Tomas Santa Rosa, a 22-year-traditional actor from Rio de Janeiro, have traveled specifically to Recife to experience the locations featured in the film.

Carnival Celebrations Embrace the Film

The celebration of “The Secret Agent” reached a peak during the 2026 Carnival in Recife, and Olinda. Revelers carried “bonecos” (large mannequins) resembling Wagner Moura, the film’s star, and Kleber Mendonça Filho. The festivities similarly featured “hairy legs,” a reference to a local urban legend used as a metaphor in the film.

A yellow t-shirt from the Pitombeira carnival group, worn by Wagner Moura in the film, has become a popular item, with approximately 30,000 shirts sold, including international orders. Erivelton Martins Torres, a member of Pitombeira, explained that the film prompted them to reissue the vintage design instead of creating a new one.

“It’s incredible that a film from Pernambuco is in the running for the Oscars. We’re experiencing history live,” said Matheus Vitoriano, a 25-year-old video editor, reflecting the widespread excitement in Recife.