The Oscars may have largely overlooked Latinos (save for a few wins) but nonetheless, at least one Latino is celebrating just being close enough to hold an Oscar.
Sergio Chamay, the subject of the Best Documentary Feature nominated film The Mole Agent, not only was present for the ceremony, but got a chance to be backstage where a colleague let him hold their newly won golden statue.
“How happy I feel!!” writes the 87 year old documentary star. “My friend the Octopus let me borrow his prize and that ‘s the most important thing! To have new experiences and make new friends who fill my soul and my heart.. Those are the real winnings in life…you only have to count them!!!!! 🕵🏻♂️ thank you for all the love!”
Chamay was found after the filmmaker, Maite Alberdi, posted a classified ad looking for “men between 80 and 90 years old” to interview for the prospect of infiltrating a retirement facility where a client’s mother was living to discover if she was being neglected. However, after Chamay entered the facility, the story began to evolve as Chamay grew close to the people in the home and ended up changing the ending.
In an interview with REMEZCLA, Alberdi revealed that the initial ending of the film changed because of her star. The original ending was going to be them telling the client that they know that “her mother was well taken care of; however, Alberdi decided to skip that and focus on her hero’s new friendships.”
The Oscars missed a lot of emotional marks, but it’s heartwarming to know that for one unlikely contender, just being present was enough to fill his soul.
Hollywood, protect Sergio Chamay at all costs!
