In a lively and bold fashion, Jacques Audiard’s film Emilia Pérez embarked on its public voyage at Cannes in May, where it was met with widespread acclaim by critics. The four principal actresses – Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz – were each recognized for their exceptional performances, as they collectively received the Best Actress award.
For some time now, and up until very recently, the captivating story of a drug lord called Manitas, who transitions gender, has been a highly acclaimed favorite during the award season, particularly with a Mexican setting.
Previously acquired by Netflix, this movie earned four Golden Globe awards, with one being for Best Picture within the musical or comedy category. Impressively, it received a record-breaking 13 Oscar nominations, marking the highest number of nominations for a non-English language film to date.
However, the reaction was quite contrasting, with Mexican critics expressing concerns that the movie doesn’t accurately portray their nation, and members of the LGBTQ+ community arguing that it falls short in representing the transgender community authentically.
Trouble arose for Emilia Pérez’s campaign when controversial old posts made by trans actress Yalitza Aparicio (Gascón), an Oscar-nominated Best Actress contender, surfaced. These posts revealed opinions that were deeply questionable, covering topics like Islam and the treatment of police brutality victim George Floyd. Despite later expressing remorse, these remarks caused a stir in Pérez’s campaign, as directors such as Audiard and others distanced themselves from Gascón.
The true impact of Gascón’s dramatic self-destructive actions on their own Oscar prospects, alongside Emilia Pérez, may be more evident following the conclusion of the awards ceremony.
At this year’s BAFTA Awards, the foreign film claimed the honor of Best Film in the Foreign Language category. Meanwhile, Zoe Saldana won for Best Supporting Actress, and her exceptional portrayal of the campaign lawyer Rita deservedly received recognition.
But without doubt, Emilia Pérez also deserves to win Best Picture at this year’s Academy Awards.
Last year, during Cannes Film Festival, I watched the movie for the first time around 8:30 am, nearly halfway through the event, a time typically when journalists are quite exhausted. However, it felt invigorating. The film, surprisingly original and unconventional, seemed particularly striking from Audiard’s direction. Although Audiard has delved into the crime genre previously, with movies like “A Prophet” (2009), a prison drama, and his 2005 remake of James Toback’s “Fingers” (1978) titled “The Beat My Heart Skipped”, this one was unique.
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This film, a daring blend of various genres, was hard to categorize: it delved into cartel narratives, transgender experiences, elaborate musical sequences, and socio-political commentary all in one. Such audacity is impressive coming from director Audiard and his team. Art often thrives on risk-taking, and this year, among the nominees, Emilia Pérez stands out as a bold production that deserves praise for its courage. It sheds light on numerous important topics, including transgender issues and the alarming violence in Mexican society.
The shows are just as vibrant as Damien Jalet’s choreography and the catchy tunes by Clément Ducol and Camille. Despite any disputes surrounding her, it’s important to recognize that Gascón skillfully portrays two characters: Manitas and Emilia Pérez, who she transitions to on stage. Similarly, Saldaña’s intense, dynamic role has highlighted an actress who has frequently been overshadowed by CGI effects in movies like Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Should Emilia Pérez’s movie win Best Picture, it would underscore Hollywood’s recognition of subtitled films as audience magnets. Additionally, it highlights the importance and viability of telling transgender stories, while also advocating for increased leading roles for trans actors. Fundamentally, this film revolutionizes its genre by redefining the movie musical, leaving a lasting impact on the art form.
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2025-03-01 19:04