Team Deakins KLEBER MENDONÇA FILHO - Writer / Director
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Dec 17, 2025 
Kleber Mendonça Filho, a Brazilian writer and director famed for films like Bacurau and Neighboring Sounds, dives into the rich tapestry of Brazilian history and politics in this discussion. He reflects on his creative process, revealing how Spike Lee's Do the Right Thing inspired his storytelling style. His latest film, The Secret Agent, explores Brazil's military dictatorship while showcasing his unique blend of social critique and genre elements. Kleber also shares insights on funding films in Brazil and the significance of setting his stories in Recife.
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Long Road From Critic To Filmmaker
- Kleber Mendonça Filho worked as a film critic for 13 years while making short videos in the 1990s.
- The arrival of digital video around 2000 finally merged film and video and boosted his short films' visibility.
Make Your Street The Film's World
- Neighboring Sounds grew from Kleber's desire to film his own street after seeing Do the Right Thing.
- He cast friends and local collaborators to preserve intimacy and realism in the feature debut.
Do Homework But Leave Room For Surprise
- Do thorough homework on locations and shoot planning, but leave room for surprises on set.
- Use long-term research and still photography to pre-visualize camera placements and scenes.