By José Alberto Hermosillo
“The Mole Agent/El agente topo” is a triumph of the human spirit! It is the most original, intelligent, charming, and endearing movie of the year.
This Chilean documentary tackles the alienation of the elderly with straightforward honesty and tenderness. The narrative begins when a CLIENT wants to prove a case of elderly abuse against her mother in a nursing home in Chile. She contracts with a detective agency to send its best agent on the mission—someone who can pass unnoticed among the caregivers and other residents in the facility.
Rómulo Aitken, the head of THE INVESTIGATION AGENCY, is responsible for replacing the previous agent due to a broken hip. The agency’s NEWSPAPER AD states that it is looking for a serious candidate, a man between 80 and 90, for the investigator position.
The interview and selection process went smoothly. Twenty applicants matched the profile, and three seem suitable, with only one being more thoughtful and formal for the role. His name is Sergio Chamy. Finding Sergio was a fortunate accident for the agency and the filmmakers. The determined and meticulous ninety-year-old newest agent can take over the entire investigation. Sergio’s mannerisms, accent, and impeccable behavior make him appear like a well-trained actor, but he is natural, charming, and attentive.
THE TRAINING covers using a cellphone, camera, texting, recording devices, and other GADGETS that every elderly investigator should know, including WhatsApp, an application that many of us do not even know how to use.
THE INSTITUTION: the agent must blend in with the other elderly patients, look like a “normal grandpa,” and avoid arousing suspicion.
The romance is an unexpected part of every hero’s journey when a coquettish woman wants to date Sergio. He acts like a true gentleman by respecting her without breaking her heart.
The target is hard to find, like searching for a needle in a haystack. Sergio’s perseverance guides him to her room. Still, his clumsiness with the gadgets forces him to be more discreet and never look conspicuous or nosy to the nurses or other staff.
THE POET lights up everybody’s story.
THE SUSPECT seems to be in trouble, and Sergio must find out what it is.
THE CONFLICT is more complex than it seems to be. It has a profound
social background that resides within every family, and we tend to forget those who gave us life in the end.
THE RESOLUTION comes as a shocking revelation that no one sees coming. It is
almost a biblical lesson to learn: “Who is free from sin, cast the first stone.”
RELIGION is essential to the residents’ lives, as we see some religious motifs that comfort them.
“The Mole Agent” is the work of a genius from a blossoming director, Maite Alberti, who repeatedly mentions that making this film was fun in various virtual Q&As.
The editing follows the storyline directly and professionally, adhering to a spy-movie structure. After that, everything else felt natural, layered, and complex. She emphasized not directing the subject to change Sergio’s natural performance. Making that choice was risky for her, but she had to let Sergio go and experience it fully in front of the camera.
The director lied a little to get permission to shoot the film inside the facility. She suggested the film’s focus stay on Sergio, the newest arrival, without disturbing others’ lives. When principal photography was finished and the crew left, they had to discover the truth. To be honest, Alberti organized a private screening at the nursing home and shared her true intentions. The relationship they built inside the facility was genuine. When they said goodbye, it was less about losing a resident than about gaining a friend.
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| Maite Alberti, documentarian, “The Mole Agent.” Photo: José Alberto Hermosillo |
As a filmmaker, Maite Alberti trusted her instincts. Inside the institution, she made sure everyone felt comfortable with the camera. Maite also discovered that some interns have dementia, so she got approval from a family member to proceed.
“The Mole Agent” is so well-made that it can confuse viewers. Some believe everything was artificially staged. They think it isn’t a documentary because of the residents’ spontaneous reactions and natural performances. Many genuinely think “El Agente Topo” is a mockumentary because it was directed by professional actors, had a script, and a big budget.
This linear story was carefully planned and performed naturally by real people, making it resemble a “narrative feature film.” But everything in this vivid documentary is real. Cinema verité style uses real people in everyday situations with authentic dialogue. By capturing the residents’ natural actions, the director created an engaging, authentic docudrama.
The crew arrived three weeks before shooting began, allowing residents and caretakers time to adjust and act naturally in front of the camera. During the four months of filming, they worked six days a week and waited patiently to capture the right moments, aligning with the residents’ daily routines.
The Chilean Academy chose this co-production, involving Chile, the Netherlands, Spain, Germany, and the United States, to represent Chile at the 93rd Academy Awards in the Best International Feature Film category. This production has been nominated for 24 awards worldwide. It qualified for the documentary category and received an Oscar nomination for Best Documentary Feature.
“The Mole Agent” is one of the few projects representing the Latino community this year, a year when people of color gained more recognition from the Academy and other major guilds and award organizations than Latinos did. “The Mole Agent” is a heartfelt story that prompts us to reflect on our aging population. This Neo-Noir documentary focuses on creating a lasting universe where everyone who lives, loves, and dies in a nursing home feels real.
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