Bearing out Brazil’s place as nation of honor at this yr’s Cannes Movie Competition, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s “The Secret Agent” (“O Agente Secreto”) gained the Fipresci Prize within the Official Choice – Competitors class, granted by the Worldwide Federation of Movie Critics .

Set in Brazil beneath navy rule in 1977 and starring Wagner Moura (“Narcos,” “Dope Thief”) , the movie delves into themes of political repression, morality and resistance. Identified for his earlier movies “Aquarius” and “Bacurau,” each of which performed in fundamental comoetition at Cannes, Mendonça Filho continues his exploration of Brazil’s sociopolitical panorama with a story praised for its depth and ambition.

“The Secret Agent” was hailed by Selection‘s Peter Debruge as a “terrific ’70s thriller” and “dazzling interval drama.”

In its evaluation of the movie, the Fipresci jury defined: “We selected a movie that has a novelistic, epic generosity; a movie that enables for digression, diversion, humor and character to evoke a time and place and a wealthy, unusual and deeply troubling story of corruption and oppression. A movie that makes its personal guidelines, that’s private but common, that takes its time and immerses you in a world – the world of military-ruled Brazil in 1977 and the world of excellent folks in dangerous occasions.”

“The Secret Agent,” an epic story which runs practically three hours, is a multinational co-production involving Brazil, France, Germany and the Netherlands. MK2 Movies is promoting internationally, and Neon simply picked up North American distribution rights.

Additional Fipresci recognition went to actor-turned-director Harris Dickinson’s debut “Urchin,” which screened within the Un Sure Regard part. A two-time BAFTA-nominated actor, Dickinson is understood for his performances in “Babygirl,” “Seashore Rats” and “Triangle of Disappointment.”

A harrowing character examine of a homeless man named Mike who struggles with dependancy, “Urchin” has drawn approval for its visceral realism and emotional depth. Selection’s Man Lodge praises lead actor Frank Dillane for “imbuing Mike with each the form of wily charisma that makes folks need to rescue him and a self-destructive volatility that retains repelling such efforts.”

Based on the jury, Dickinson’s debut is “a robust first function that works as a posh character examine of a homeless man scuffling with dependancy. We dive deeply right into a cycle of self-destruction portrayed with sincerity, authenticity and real empathy.”

From this yr’s Critics’ Week, Administrators’ Fortnight and different parallel choices, the Fipresci jury chosen Momoko Seto’s animated function “Dandelion’s Odyssey” for particular recognition.

The French-Belgian manufacturing, distributed internationally by Indie Gross sales, blends experimental storytelling with animation. Seto, is understood for her inventive quick movies together with 2015 Berlin Audi Quick Movie Award-winner “Planet Sigma.” Subsequent up for “Dandelion’s Odyssey” is a contest screening at Annecy in June.

“In these unusual and harmful occasions, we consider crucial factor is to search out which means in our decisions and to permit ourselves to really feel deeply by movies that restore cinema’s emotional essence,” the Fipresci jury mentioned. “We reward this movie for its distinctive use of animation methods mixing classical and fashionable types, for the standard of its modifying and for the ability of its message – love, salvation and companionship within the harshest circumstances. A common message of life’s overcome the forces of dying.”

This yr’s Fipresci jury at Cannes was chaired by Australian critic C.J. Johnson and included Mariana Hristova (Bulgaria), Laurent Delmas (France), Eva Novrup Redvall (Denmark), Michael Ghennam (France), Hosam Fahmy (Egypt), Ioannis Rouzaios (Greece), Olga Break (Sweden) and Freddy Wong (Hong Kong).

Awards come simply hours earlier than the Cannes Movie Competition’s fundamental prize ceremony the place “The Secret Agent” is within the working for Cannes’ Palme d’Or.