Netflix is taking over the world. They had 24 Oscar nominations this year, the most of any film studio or streaming outlet, and their domination is not stopping anytime soon. Up next: Sundance domination. The streaming service has many, many major films making world premieres at the Sundance Film Festival next week. One of them is “Sergio,” filmmaker Greg Barker’s (“The Final Year,” HBO’s “Manhunt,” “Ghosts of Rwanda“) first narrative film and essentially dramatic remake of his own 2009 documentary also called “Sergio.”
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A sweeping drama set in the chaotic aftermath of the US invasion of Iraq, “Sergio” centers on top UN diplomat Sergio Vieira de Mello whose life hangs in the balance during the most treacherous mission of his career. Sergio is played by Wagner Moura (“Narcos,” “Elite Squad: The Enemy Within“) and “Knives Out” breakout star Ana de Armas (also known for “Blade Runner: 2049“).
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Here’s the official synopsis:
Charismatic and complex, Sergio Vieira de Mello (Wagner Moura) has spent the majority of his storied career as a top UN diplomat working in the world’s most unstable regions, deftly navigating deals with presidents, revolutionaries, and war criminals for the sake of protecting the lives of ordinary people. But just as he readies himself for a simpler life with the woman he loves (Ana de Armas), Sergio takes one last assignment — in Baghdad, newly plunged into chaos following the US invasion. The assignment is meant to be brief, until a bomb blast causes the walls of the UN headquarters to come literally crashing down upon him, setting into motion a gripping life-or-death struggle. Inspired by a true story, SERGIO is a sweeping drama focused on a man pushed to his physical and emotional limits as he’s forced to confront his own divisive choices about ambition, family, and his capacity to love.
“Sergio” makes its world premiere in the Premieres section of Sundance. The film arrives in select theaters and on Netflix on April 17. Watch the trailer below.
Here’s the trailer for the original documentary that aired on HBO.