Meet the man who swapped Lasswade for Brazil and picked up a role in Oscar-nominated film The Secret Agent alongside Wagner Moura
A man who swapped the Lothians for Brazil has revealed the moment he brushed shoulders with Hollywood royalty after picking up a role in an Oscar-nominated film.
Roderick Mackenzie, 58 and originally from the village of Lasswade, earned himself a small role as a press photographer in political thriller The Secret Agent, alongside Narcos star Wagner Moura.
Set in 1977, The Secret Agent follows the story of an ex-professor who finds himself fleeing persecution amid a military dictatorship.
The film has been nominated for four Academy Awards at tonight’s Oscars ceremony, including Best Picture, Best International Picture, Best Casting, and Best Actor for Moura’s performance in the film.
Roderick, who made the move to Brazil in 1993, said: “I played the part of an International Press Corps photographer sent to take pictures of a mother grieving the loss of her young son who had died in highly unusual circumstances in the city of Recife in Northeastern Brazil.
“This part of the film is a sub plot which interestingly touches on real events which unfolded relatively recently, which the director wove into the fabric of the film which was set in 1977.”
Speaking about the moment he was cast, Roderick said: “The casting director contacted me to appear as a tourist arriving at the airport but Kleber Mendonça Filho, the film's ingenious director, handed me a 1970s Minolta SRT with handheld flash and I became a photographer.
“Filming took place over four sweltering days in July 2024.”
Roderick now calls Recife home, which is where they filmed the scenes he appears in.
He said “The scenes were set in the Ginásio Pernambuco, a historical school building in central Recife, which served as the location for the public deeds offices where Armando, played by Wagner Moura, was sent to work as part of a witness protection programme.”
His brush with the big screen also saw him come into contact with Moura, who will also be swapping his home country of Brazil for Scotland when he appears in ‘A Trial – after An Enemy of the People’ during the Edinburgh International Festival in August.
Roderick described his encounter with the star, who recently won the Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Drama for his role in the film. He said: “During filming I had the opportunity to rub shoulders with members of the cast.
“Wagner Moura noted that my moustache reminded him of his own when he portrayed Pablo Escobar in the Netflix series Narcos.
“It was an extraordinary few days providing great insight into the genial professionalism of all those involved.”
Roderick’s adventures in Brazil began more than three decades ago, when he was inspired to move across the globe after hearing tales of his uncle’s trips to the country in the 1970s.
He added: “A series of fortunate coincidences led me into English language teaching which I still do today.
“I share my home with my wife, dog, and assorted wildlife including daily visitations from a family of three toed sloths, a troop of New World monkeys, spectacular songbirds and a seasonal explosion of dazzling butterflies.”
The Secret Agent was released in UK cinemas on February 20. This weekend’s Academy Awards ceremony will be shown live on STV from 10.15pm on Sunday, March 15.