December 10th 2024.
As we eagerly await what's to come, let's take a moment to reflect on what's already happened. The journey of Emilia Perez, the Netflix film directed by Jacques Audiard and composed by Clement Ducol and Camille Dalmais, has been a rollercoaster of emotions. The titular star, Karla Sofía Gascón, has shared with us the crucial change she made to the movie and why she's not letting the backlash get to her.
The movie follows the lives of four women in modern-day Mexico, with a focus on Mexican cartel drug kingpin Manitas and lawyer Rita. When Manitas recruits Rita to help him undergo gender-affirming surgery and start a new life as the saint-like figure Emilia Perez, the consequences go far beyond what anyone could have imagined. Emilia must navigate her way back into her wife Jessi's life, who now sees her as the cousin of her late husband. This new dynamic brings with it a whole host of challenges, and soon Emilia's carefully constructed plan starts to unravel.
The tension between the characters is palpable, and it all comes to a head in a heated confrontation between the once-married couple. Emilia's resentment towards Jessi, who has moved on with her life after Manitas, boils over in this scene. However, there's one crucial moment that was originally written into the script that Karla successfully advocated to have removed. In the scene, Emilia was supposed to slap Jessi, but Karla felt that this would change the entire movie's meaning.
The 52-year-old telenovela actor, who transitioned at the age of 46, explained that this scene would have taken away from the character development of Emilia. She believes that Emilia's transformation into a saint-like figure would not have been possible if she had resorted to violence. This change was crucial to Karla, and she fought hard to have it removed from the final cut.
Karla has poured her heart and soul into the role of Emilia, drawing from her own life experiences as a trans woman. She is the first out trans woman to win the acting prize at the Cannes Film Festival, and her performance has been praised by critics and audiences alike. However, this success has not come without its fair share of backlash. After her Cannes victory, French far-right politician Marion Maréchal posted a transphobic comment, prompting Karla to file a legal complaint.
Despite the negativity, Karla remains determined and focused on her journey. She believes that these people who try to discredit her achievements only fuel her fire, and she takes it as a sign that she's on the right path. She's proud to be a public enemy to those who spread hate and will continue to use her platform to represent and empower the marginalized community that she belongs to.
Aside from the bigotry she's faced, Karla also had to overcome the challenge of singing in the movie. She admits that it was difficult, as she's not a singer and had to adjust her voice to fit the different registers required for her two characters. But with the help of the talented composers, she was able to deliver a beautiful performance that has left a lasting impact on audiences.
As the movie makes its way to an undoubtedly record-breaking awards season, Karla is hopeful that it will continue to make an impact on trans representation in Hollywood. She believes that authentic casting is crucial, and she's proud to be a part of a film that accurately portrays the trans experience.
Despite the few negative voices, Karla is overwhelmed by the overwhelming support and positivity she's received from the majority of viewers. She reminds us that it's often the loudest voices that get the most attention, but it's important not to let them overshadow the positive impact she's making through her work. Emilia Perez is now available to stream on Netflix, and Karla hopes that it will continue to spark important conversations and pave the way for more diverse representation in the film industry.
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