Cast
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Wagner Moura
as Sérgio Vieira de Mello
Ana de Armas
as Carolina Larriera
Garret Dillahunt
as Bill Von Zehle
Will Dalton
as Andre Valentine
Bradley Whitford
as Paul Bremer
Brían F. O'Byrne
as Gil Loescher
Clemens Schick
as Gaby Pichon
Clarisse Abujamra
as Gilda Vieira de Mello
Pedro Hossi
as General Xanana Gusmão
Sahajak Boonthanakit
as Ieng Sary
Vithaya Pansringarm
as Indonesian President
Eduardo Melo
as Laurent, 16 Years Old
João Barreto
as Adrien, 13 Years Old
Osama Bin Laden
as Self (archive footage)
Sameera Asir
as Nadya
Crew
Director
- Greg Barker
Writer
- Craig Borten
Producer
- Brent Travers
- Daniel Marc Dreifuss
- Wagner Moura
Reviews
SierraKiloBravo
Click here for a video version of this review: https://youtu.be/LemgSqyBgUM
Wagner Moura first came to my attention as one of the stand out parts of the excellent Netflix series _Narcos_. We went on to watch him in the two brilliant _Elite Squad_ movies and so the trailer for _Sergio_ made me sit up and take notice. He is a fantastic actor, and the chance to see him in a political thriller based on a true story got my attention. Sergio Vieira de Mello was a Brazilian UN diplomat who played a key role in events in East Timor and Iraq in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Here's the official description of the movie:
_A sweeping drama set in the chaotic aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, where the life of top UN diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello hangs in the balance during the most treacherous mission of his career._
Real life stories are often more interesting than fiction, and the life of de Mello was certainly very interesting. Right at the start of the movie, an event happens and then in the aftermath of that, Sergio reflects back on the key points of his life, from his work in East Timor in establishing a government there, to meeting his partner Carolina Larriera, to his arrival in Baghdad. The movie uses flashbacks quite well to tell its story, and in those flashbacks, enough information is given so that you can get an adequate grasp of what's going on. A lot of regionally specifically history and politics is included in these, but its done in such a way that the key points are communicated, just enough to help you understand the backdrop for that part of the story.
I think it focuses a little too much on the relationship between Sergio and Carolina, its much more prominent than the trailer shows, and while it is an important part of Sergio's story, I did think it distracted a bit from the UN work that he was working so hard to implement.
Overall, this was an absorbing film that adequately tells the story of one man trying his best to bring some change to the world.
Jun 10, 2020
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Sergio examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Greg Barker brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2020, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Sergio took approximately 24 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $16.0 million, the film represented a significant investment in bringing this story to the screen.
- The final cut of the film runs for 118 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 151 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 12 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The director insisted on using practical effects whenever possible, reserving CGI for only the most necessary scenes.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 7 weeks before filming began.
Historical Context
- In 2020, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Sergio shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike The Ground that Sinks, which takes a more conventional approach to its subject matter, Sergio offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Rent Due and That's Black Entertainment explore similar territory, Sergio stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: January 28, 2020
- Runtime: 1h 58m
- Budget: $16,000,000
Where to Watch
