Born in Recife, Pernambuco, in 1968, Kleber Mendonça Filho’s journey began with a degree in journalism from the Federal University of Pernambuco, before transitioning into film criticism and programming. In the 1990s, he experimented with short films, documentaries, and experimental videos, honing his craft and developing a unique visual style. His early works, such as Vinil Verde (2004) and Cold Tropics (2009), showcased his penchant for blending genres and exploring the social and political landscape of his native region. Mendonça Filho’s first feature-length film, Neighboring Sounds (2012), firmly established him as a cinematic voice to be reckoned with. The film, which was Brazil’s submission for the 86th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film, garnered widespread acclaim and recognition, including inclusion in The New York Times’ list of the 10 best films of 2012. Subsequent works, such as Aquarius (2016) and Bacurau (2019), have cemented Mendonça Filho’s reputation as a filmmaker with a distinctive political and sociological perspective. His films deftly navigate the complexities of class, power, and the impact of global capitalism on his native region, all while seamlessly blending genres and drawing inspiration from diverse cinematic traditions. In 2025, he won the Cannes Film Festival Best Director Award for his movie The Secret Agent.