Wagner Moura has become the first Brazilian actor to win the Golden Globe for best actor in a drama film, taking the prize for his role in 'The Secret Agent' at Sunday night's ceremony in Los Angeles.
In his acceptance speech, Moura dedicated the award to those who hold onto their values in difficult times. 'The Secret Agent is a film about memory — or the lack of memory — and generational trauma,' he said. 'I think that if trauma can be passed along generations, values can too.'
Moura beat nominees including Joel Edgerton, Oscar Isaac, Dwayne Johnson, Michael B. Jordan and Jeremy Allen White. He had previously been nominated for best actor in a TV series for 'Narcos', but this was his first win and the first nomination for a Brazilian performer in the best actor – drama category.
'The Secret Agent' is set in 1977 Brazil under military rule, with Moura playing a technology expert and political dissident. The film, directed by Kleber Mendonça Filho, premiered at Cannes where Moura won best actor and the film took multiple awards.
The Golden Globes, hosted by Nikki Glaser, also saw 'The Secret Agent' nominated for best motion picture – drama and best foreign language film, marking the first Brazilian production recognised in the former category.
