Wild Card with Rachel Martin Wagner Moura
10 snips
Feb 12, 2026 
Wagner Moura, Brazilian actor and filmmaker known for Narcos and an Oscar nomination for The Secret Agent. He talks about choosing projects that bring joy, the ritual and spirituality of theater, aging with grace and jiu-jitsu, and how art can be a form of political engagement. Short personal stories punctuate the conversation.
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Mentor Who Shaped His Theater Life
- Wagner Moura describes a deep mentorship with theater director Aderbal Freire Filho who guided him through pivotal moments like playing Hamlet.
- He recalls late-night conversations and drinking together as formative and misses him after his recent passing.
Prioritizing Joy Over Constant Momentum
- Wagner realized recently that he needed to prioritize joy and relaxation over relentless ambition.
- He now chooses projects that preserve his happiness rather than chase constant momentum.
Film Born From A Shared Political Shock
- Moura recounts meeting director Kleber Mendoza Filho in Cannes and their shared political/artistic vision that birthed The Secret Agent.
- The film grew from their response to Brazil's political shifts between 2018 and 2022.
