OSS 117: Lost in Rio

OSS 117: Lost in Rio

Company type	Film
Industry	Film industry
Founded	2009
Founder	Michel Hazanavicius (director and co-writer)
Products	Spy comedy film

OSS 117: Lost in Rio () is a 2009 French spy film comedy film co-written and directed by Michel Hazanavicius. Serving as a follow-up to OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), it features Jean Dujardin portraying the French secret agent Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath / OSS 117. Set during 1967, the storyline follows OSS 117’s mission to Brazil to recover a microfilm containing names of French Nazi collaborators, only to become entangled in a broader international conspiracy.

Derived from the OSS 117 character created by Jean Bruce, this film functions as a satire of the spy genre rather than a faithful adaptation. The original French title translates to OSS 117: Rio Doesn't Respond Anymore, alluding to the 1932 movie F.P.1 Doesn't Respond. Lost in Rio received acclaim for its direction, comedic elements, script, and acting. A subsequent installment, OSS 117: From Africa with Love, directed by Nicolas Bedos, debuted in 2021.

Plot

The narrative begins at a ski lodge gathering in Gstaad, where OSS 117 is seen socializing with a Chinese countess before Red Chinese operatives launch an assault that kills all attendees except the two. Upon returning to SDECE headquarters, OSS 117 is assigned to deliver a blackmail payment to Professor Von Zimmel, a Nazi fugitive residing in South America who possesses a microfilm listing French Nazi sympathizers.

In Rio de Janeiro, OSS 117 encounters assaults from agents working for Mr. Lee, crosses paths with the abrasive American CIA operative Bill Tremendous, meets the alluring Carlotta, confronts Professor Von Zimmel’s masked luchador bodyguards, and deals with Mossad agents seeking to extradite Von Zimmel for trial in Israel. OSS 117 partners with Israeli Army Colonel Dolorès Koulechov to apprehend Von Zimmel through his hippie son.

Throughout his mission, the protagonist navigates romantic entanglements with Carlotta and Dolorès Koulechov—who initially criticizes OSS 117’s colonialist and sexist mindset but gradually warms to him. A significant dialogue contrasts Brazil’s military dictatorship with France’s governance under Charles de Gaulle.

The film explores themes such as sexuality, gender dynamics, cultural prejudices, and social conflicts set against the tense political atmosphere of the period.

Cast

• Jean Dujardin as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath, also known as OSS 117
• Louise Monot portraying Dolorès Koulechov
• Rüdiger Vogler as Professor Von Zimmel
• Alex Lutz playing Heinrich
• Reem Kherici as Carlotta
• Pierre Bellemare taking on Lesignac
• Serge Hazanavicius as Staman
• Laurent Capelluto portraying Kutner

Background

Following OSS 117: Cairo, Nest of Spies (2006), this sequel attracted an additional 260,000 viewers upon release. Lesignac, who acts as de La Bath’s superior officer, is the sole character returning from the prior film; he is now portrayed by Pierre Bellemare after Claude Brosset’s passing. Director Michel Hazanavicius had suggested casting Jacques Chirac for this role; however, Chirac declined.

Parody

Building on the OSS 117 franchise inspired by Jean Bruce’s novels, this installment lampoons classic spy and Eurospy films from the mid-20th century, including André Hunebelle’s original OSS 117 series and early entries in the James Bond franchise. It faithfully recreates period-specific cinematography, production design, and costume styles by employing techniques such as rear projection and multi-dynamic image panels to evoke vintage aesthetics.

The film also pays homage to Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo and North by Northwest, while de La Bath’s attire and set elements reference Harper and Dean Martin’s portrayal in the Matt Helm series. Featuring Dean Martin songs during its opening and closing sequences, it incorporates archival footage from The Greatest Show on Earth (1952), Furia à Bahia pour OSS 117 (1965), and "Fun in Acapulco" (1963).

Reception

The movie has garnered a 75% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes from a total of 52 critics, who praised Jean Dujardin's charismatic portrayal and the sequel’s combination of over-the-top action and politically incorrect humor, appealing especially to enthusiasts of '60s espionage cinema. Meanwhile, on Metacritic, it achieved a score of 58 out of 100, reflecting generally mixed or average critical feedback.