October 13th 2024.
Emilia Pérez has been gaining a lot of buzz as one of Netflix's top contenders for next year's Oscars. The film, which had a great reception at the Cannes Film Festival, tells the story of a transgender cartel leader in a unique genre-defying crime musical.
Starring big names like Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez and directed by acclaimed French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, Emilia Pérez captivated audiences at Cannes earlier this year. The film initially relied on the star power of Saldaña and Gomez, as well as Audiard's award-winning track record. In fact, the leading ladies were both awarded the best actress prize at Cannes, with the film itself also earning the Jury Prize.
Since then, Netflix has acquired the rights for distribution in the US and UK, and the film has been chosen as France's official entry for the best international feature category at the Oscars, despite being set in Mexico and predominantly in Spanish. The main cast also includes Karla Sofía Gascón and Adriana Paz, with Gascón playing the titular role of Emilia Pérez, also known as the notorious cartel leader Juan 'Manitas' Del Monte. She enlists the help of Rita, an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to fake her death and live as her true self.
Emilia Pérez is a rollercoaster of a film, swinging between gritty and violent drama and comedy crime caper. The narrative is also enhanced by original songs written by Camille and musical dance numbers. To give you a taste of its unexpectedness, there's even a medical-themed song with a catchy chorus about "Vaginoplasty!" and "Rhinoplasty!" as the doctor breaks into song during a consultation.
The film's cast and director attended the BFI London Film Festival to support its inclusion in the program and to discuss the positive response it has received so far. Selena Gomez, who plays the role of Jessi Del Monte, the oblivious wife of Emilia's crime boss, hopes that audiences will go into the film with an open mind and heart and simply enjoy the ride. She admits that the film is quite unconventional, sprawling across multiple genres, but she hopes that viewers will appreciate it for what it is.
Adriana Paz, who plays Epifanía, a woman who befriends both Rita and Emilia, was initially confused by the script and had fears about how such a risky film would be received. However, she was pleasantly surprised when she saw the final product and realized how great it was. She credits director Jacques Audiard, choreographer Damien Jalet, songwriter Camille, composer Clément Ducol, and other members of the team for making the film what it is.
The film has also had a huge personal impact on its actresses, with Selena Gomez expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to work with Jacques Audiard and for believing in herself enough to take on such a challenging role. Karla Sofía Gascón also made history as the first openly trans actor to win a major prize at Cannes, and she takes on the roles of both Emilia and Manitas, drawing on her own personal experience to play her part pre-transition as well.
Gascón believes that her role in the film is not only a gift for her but also a positive message for other queer performers and individuals. She hopes that the film's message of being able to change for the better will resonate with many people. Adriana Paz agrees, adding that the film's honesty and powerful messages about love and self-discovery are what make it so special and impactful.
Despite mostly positive reviews and an impressive 86% on Rotten Tomatoes, there have been some mixed opinions about the film. However, the majority of critics have praised Emilia Pérez for its sincerity and bold approach to storytelling. The film has been described as "miraculous" and "a musical for our time" by top publications, and its unique blend of genres has been compared to the work of renowned director Sergio Leone.
Emilia Pérez premiered at the Cannes Film Festival and was also screened at the BFI London Film Festival before its release in UK cinemas on October 25 and on Netflix on November 13. With its star-studded cast and captivating story, it's definitely one to watch out for. Do you have any thoughts about the film? Let us know in the comments below!
[This article has been trending online recently and has been generated with AI. Your feed is customized.]
[Generative AI is experimental.]
