SERGIO
US, 2020, 118 minutes, Colour.
Wagner Moura, Ana de Armas, Brian F O’ Byrne, Garrett Delahunt, Clemens Schick, Bradley Whitford, Will Dalton, Pedro Hossi.
Directed by Greg Barker.
This is a portrait of United Nations diplomat, Sergio de Mello. In 2009, director Greg Barker made a documentary about him. A decade later he has returned with a film dramatising his life and some of his political action.
Sergio de Mello achieved a great deal in his life. It would probably be helpful for potential audiences to look him up, some Google searching, a look at Wikipedia, to see who he was, his Brazilian background, his academic life, his work with the United Nations – in an amazing range of different countries. In this film, however, the action is limited to a brief sequence in Cambodia, a significant amount of the film in East Timor, the last part of the film in Iraq.
The impact of the film will depend on what an audience is looking for. If it is a portrait of the diplomat, there is a great deal about his life and, especially, his relationship with Carolina, his second wife. Throughout the film there are love scenes, a sex scene, her supporting him in his work, her grief at his death. From this point of view, the scenes of diplomacy and international work could be seen just as background, or even interruptions, to the personal story. On the other hand, if audiences expect a drama of a diplomat, his talent and skills, seeing them exercised, then the love scenes may be seen as background or even interruptions.
The film was produced by Brazilian actor, Wagner Moura, noted for his social activities in his own country. He recently appeared, along with his present co-star, Ana de Armas, in the drama about Cuba and Cuban refugees in Miami, Wasp Network. He is a tall, strong, man, genial appearance, friendly manner. He is seen in a number of difficult situations, especially in roadblocks in Cambodia, East Timor, Iraq, cautioned by his fellow travellers but approaching the various authorities, exercising some charm, able to make progress.
This is seen particularly in the attention given to the fight for independence by the East Timorese from Indonesia, at the end of almost a quarter of a century of hostilities, domination by Indonesian forces. He represents the United Nations, is warned that independence is too difficult an achievement, especially when he is received in a hostile manner by the military leader, Xenana Gusmao, who rebukes him for wearing a scarf that is reserved for the nation’s Elders. The East Timorese also want an apology from the president of Indonesia. There is a brief telling scene where Sergio has an audience with the president who refuses to back down because of complexities, Sergio challenging him that an apology could be simple. While the campaign for the vote East Timor (and the Australian presence) is not mentioned, East Timor did achieve independence and Gusmao now gave Sergio his own scarf.
This means that the screenplay is something of a jigsaw puzzle, moving from the diplomacy to the love scenes, back again, sudden memories, even of his family in Rio de Janeiro. Because the framework of the film is his being sent to Iraq in 2003, not really wanting to go, clashing with the American administrator, Paul Bremer (Bradley Whitford), upset by the action of some of the American soldiers, setting up the UN office, with Carolina on the staff. The Al Qaeda leader targeted the hotel, a bombing – and the reminder that the followers became ISIS – and Sergio trapped in the rubble alongside his chief advisor, Gil Loechser (Brian F O’ Byrne, this character incorporating several of Sergio’s advisors) trapped with him. It is the scenario of facing death and your life passing before your eyes.
The actual Sergio appears in the final credits – scenes of his funeral, praise of him by the UN Secretary General, Kofi Annan and the suggestion that Sergio would have been a significant nominee for that post.
Something of a mixture and success depending upon what the audience was hoping for – and found.
1. Audience knowledge of Sergio De Mello? Worth checking out his history before viewing the film? His work for the United Nations? The huge range of countries in which he served? His death? Reputation in the UN, throughout the world? Possible candidate for General Secretary?
2. This film as a drama? The previous documentary by the director? The differences in perspective?
3. Audience expectations? Of a biography, of a portrait of Sergio, his Brazilian origins and background, family, relationships, his sons, Carolina? The emphasis on the love story?
The political aspect as background to this?
4. Audience expectations of a political drama? Sergio, his status, his skills, his experience? His role in the United Nations? The flashbacks to Cambodia? The central flashbacks to East Timor? His decision to go to Baghdad? The encounters with Paul Bremer? Disagreements in policy, 2003? His death?
5. The effect of the structure of the film, the linear framework of his going to Iraq and his death? The emphases on the personal scenes, the love story? The emphases on the politics? The intercutting with his dying in the explosion?
6. Sergio as a character, lively, Brazilian, amiable, love for his sons, but not knowing them well (and his son’s allergy to shrimp)? His mother? His ability with people? Courage of his convictions? His diplomatic skills? The meeting in Cambodia with the leader? Accepted even though differing? His going to East Timor, the condemnation by Xanana Gusmao, the rebuke about the wearing of the elder’s scarf, his visit with the president of Indonesia, the success of his East Timor collaboration? The acknowledgement by Xanana Gusmao and presentation of the scarf? Going to Iraq, disagreeing with the American invasion, his stopping the vehicle and criticising the brutality of the American soldier, setting up the headquarters in a hotel, his staff, visiting the prison? The interactions with Paul Bremer? The explosion?
7. Carolina, in East Timor, the love story, sex scenes, the effect on each of them? Her presence in Iraq, the relationship? Injured in the explosion, keeping vigil, her emotional anxiety, the final words with Sergio?
8. Gil Loescher, his presence with Sergio in the difficult situations (and his being a composite character of many who worked with Sergio)? Hesitations, advice, wary in East Timor? Going to Iraq? Supportive? His own injuries? The brutality of the amputations? His survival?
9. The soldiers and the rescue of Gil and Sergio? Their concern, abilities? The amputation? Unable to save Sergio?
10. The final tribute by Kofi Annan? Sergio’s funeral? Seeing the actual Sergio in the credits?
11. The film offering some background to United Nations diplomats, the difficulties of their negotiations, the responses in different countries and hotspots, their achievements?
