40 Facts About Emilia Pérez

A Unique Blend of Genres

Emilia Pérez is a film that stands out for its unique blend of genres. This musical crime comedy has captured the attention of audiences and critics alike.

1. Title and Genre: Emilia Pérez is a 2024 Spanish-language French musical crime comedy film written and directed by Jacques Audiard. It is based on Audiard's opera libretto of the same name, which was loosely adapted from Boris Razon's 2018 novel Écoute.

2. Premiere and Awards: The film premiered on May 18, 2024, at the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize and its female ensemble won the Best Actress award.

3. Release Date: Emilia Pérez was theatrically released by Pathé on August 21, 2024. It will be available to stream on Netflix starting November 13, 2024.

Stellar Cast and Characters

The film boasts a stellar cast, each bringing depth and complexity to their roles.

4. Cast: The film stars Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia Pérez, a transgender former gangster; Zoe Saldaña as Rita Moro Castro, an unappreciated lawyer; Selena Gomez as Jessi Del Monte, Emilia's wife; Adriana Paz as Epifanía, a woman who develops a romance with Emilia; and Édgar Ramírez as Gustavo Brun, Jessi's no-good boyfriend.

5. Karla Sofía Gascón’s Performance: Gascón’s performance as Emilia Pérez was praised for its depth and complexity. She had to learn 48 songs for the film, which added to her nervousness but also showcased her talent.

6. Zoe Saldaña’s Role: Saldaña played Rita Moro Castro, an unappreciated lawyer who becomes Emilia’s partner in her journey. Saldaña’s performance was highlighted for its power and transformation, as Rita finds new purpose in helping Emilia.

7. Selena Gomez’s Character: Gomez played Jessi Del Monte, Emilia’s wife who struggles with the duality of her character’s identity. Gomez’s portrayal of Jessi highlighted the normalcy of imperfect Spanish and the importance of cultural identity.

8. Adriana Paz’s Character: Paz played Epifanía, a woman who develops a romance with Emilia. Paz’s character added another layer to the film’s exploration of identity and relationships.

9. Édgar Ramírez’s Character: Ramírez played Gustavo Brun, Jessi’s no-good boyfriend who is set to marry her. His character added tension to the plot, particularly in his relationship with Jessi.

Music and Choreography

Music and choreography play a crucial role in Emilia Pérez, adding depth and emotion to the narrative.

10. Original Music: The original songs for the film were contributed by French singer Camille, while the original score was provided by Clément Ducol. The choreographic sections of the film were designed by Damien Jalet.

11. Musical Elements: The film is an honest-to-god musical, with rhythms and melodies emerging naturally from the cinematic milieu. The musical numbers address themes such as gender confirmation surgery and activism, adding a unique layer to the narrative.

12. Choreography: Damien Jalet choreographed the musical sequences, working closely with Zoe Saldaña to master the demanding dance sequences.

Plot and Themes

The plot and themes of Emilia Pérez delve into identity, transformation, and activism.

13. Plot Summary: The film follows Emilia Pérez, a former cartel leader who fakes her own death and undergoes gender-affirming surgery. She hires Rita Moro Castro to help her reunite with her wife and children, who believe she is dead. Emilia then becomes an activist for the disappeared, using her past connections to help those affected by Mexico's brutal drug war.

14. Character Development: Emilia Pérez is a multifaceted character inspired by a chapter from Boris Razon’s novel Écoute. The character's journey from a violent cartel leader to a woman seeking authenticity is central to the film's narrative.

15. Themes: The film explores themes of identity, transformation, and activism. It delves into the complexities of gender identity and the struggles faced by transgender individuals in Mexico.

16. Cultural Significance: Emilia Pérez is significant for its cultural representation, particularly in its portrayal of Latinx characters and experiences. The film highlights the duality of identity and the challenges of navigating cultural heritage.

Reception and Impact

The film has received critical acclaim and has the potential to leave a lasting impact on audiences.

17. Reception at Cannes: The film received an 11-minute standing ovation at its premiere at the Cannes Film Festival. The audience's reaction was a testament to the film's powerful performances and its ability to spark conversations.

18. Awards and Nominations: Emilia Pérez has received several awards and nominations, including the Jury Prize at Cannes and nominations for various ensemble and music awards.

19. Reception by Critics: Critics have praised the film for its fearless approach to its ridiculousness. The film has been described as a cross between Mrs. Doubtfire and Sicario reimagined as a musical, highlighting its unique blend of genres.

20. Impact on Audiences: The film has the potential to leave a lasting impact on audiences. Its powerful performances and unique narrative are likely to spark conversations and debates long after its release.

Behind the Scenes

The creative process behind Emilia Pérez involved collaboration and meticulous planning.

21. Creative Collaboration: Jacques Audiard developed the screenplay from an opera libretto in four acts. Thomas Bidegain, a creative collaborator on several of Audiard’s films, also contributed to the film’s development.

22. Pre-Production Details: Télérama released a 5-episode program detailing Audiard’s pre-production for the film. This program provided insight into the film’s early stages and Audiard’s vision for the project.

23. Original Score and Songs: Clément Ducol composed the original score, while Camille wrote all the original songs. The songs were performed for the demo with the assistance of a Mexican translator.

24. Karla Sofía Gascón’s Experience: Gascón’s experience playing a man, Manitas, was described as a fantastic gift. She enjoyed the playful aspect of acting and the freedom that came with playing a male character.

25. Zoe Saldaña’s Pride: Saldaña expressed pride in the film’s ability to depict women supporting one another. She praised the art for its portrayal of women being marvelous and supporting each other.

Marketing and Cultural Representation

The film's marketing strategy and cultural representation have played a significant role in its success.

26. Marketing Strategy: The film’s marketing strategy included a teaser trailer that was released on June 18, 2024. The trailer introduced the audience to the film’s central characters and plot, generating significant buzz around the film.

27. Cultural Representation: Emilia Pérez is notable for its cultural representation, particularly in its portrayal of Latinx characters and experiences. The film highlights the complexities of identity and the challenges faced by transgender individuals in Mexico.

28. Themes of Transformation: The film explores themes of transformation, particularly in Emilia’s journey from a violent cartel leader to a woman seeking authenticity. This transformation is central to the film’s narrative and is reflected in the musical numbers.

29. Musical Numbers: The film features several musical numbers that address themes such as gender confirmation surgery and activism. These numbers add a unique layer to the narrative, making the film an honest-to-god musical.

Ensemble Performance

The supporting cast and their contributions add depth to the film's narrative.

30. Supporting Cast: The film features a diverse supporting cast, including Mark Ivanir as Dr. Wasserman and James Gerard as Simon. The ensemble performance was praised for its cohesion and depth.

31. Supporting Cast’s Contributions: The supporting cast contributes to the film’s ensemble performance, adding depth and complexity to the narrative. Mark Ivanir’s Dr. Wasserman and James Gerard’s Simon are notable for their roles in the film.

Creative Vision and Collaboration

Jacques Audiard's creative vision and collaboration with other artists have shaped Emilia Pérez into a unique cinematic experience.

32. Creative Vision: Jacques Audiard’s creative vision for the film is evident in its unique blend of genres and themes. His decision to adapt the opera libretto into a film has resulted in a unique cinematic experience.

33. Collaboration with Camille: The collaboration between Audiard and Camille resulted in original songs that are integral to the film’s narrative. Camille’s contribution added depth and emotion to the musical numbers.

34. Choreography by Damien Jalet: Jalet’s choreography was praised for its complexity and demand. His work with Zoe Saldaña added another layer to the film’s musical sequences, making them both visually stunning and emotionally impactful.

Emotional Impact

Emilia Pérez has the potential to leave a lasting emotional impact on audiences.

35. Emotional Impact: Emilia Pérez has the potential to leave a lasting emotional impact on audiences. Its powerful performances, unique narrative, and cultural significance make it a film that will spark conversations and debates long after its release.

36. Awards and Nominations: Emilia Pérez has received several awards and nominations, including the Jury Prize at Cannes and nominations for various ensemble and music awards. The film’s recognition is a testament to its quality and impact.

37. Karla Sofía Gascón’s Experience: Gascón’s experience playing a man, Manitas, was described as a fantastic gift. She enjoyed the playful aspect of acting and the freedom that came with playing a male character.

38. Zoe Saldaña’s Pride: Saldaña expressed pride in the film’s ability to depict women supporting one another. She praised the art for its portrayal of women being marvelous and supporting each other.

39. Selena Gomez’s Character’s Significance: Gomez’s character, Jessi Del Monte, is significant for her portrayal of a Mexican American woman who is connected to her culture and identity. Her imperfect Spanish reflects the experience of many Latinx people in the United States.

40. Adriana Paz’s Character’s Role: Paz’s character, Epifanía, adds another layer to the film’s exploration of identity and relationships. Her romance with Emilia highlights the complexities of human connections.

The Impact of Emilia Pérez

Emilia Pérez isn't just another film; it's a groundbreaking musical crime comedy that tackles themes of identity, transformation, and activism. With its unique blend of genres, it stands out in the cinematic world. Karla Sofía Gascón's portrayal of a transgender former gangster is both powerful and moving. Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, Adriana Paz, and Édgar Ramírez deliver standout performances that add depth to the narrative.

The film's original music by Camille and Clément Ducol, along with Damien Jalet's choreography, elevate the storytelling. Premiering at the Cannes Film Festival and winning the Jury Prize and Best Actress award, it's clear the film has made a significant impact.

Emilia Pérez is a must-watch for anyone interested in cultural representation and complex social issues. Its release on Netflix will undoubtedly spark conversations and leave a lasting impression.