Highlighted at the Cannes Film Festival, “Emilia Pérez” is one of France’s strongest bets for the next edition of the Oscars, in the category of Best International Film. The film, which will only be released in Brazilian theaters in 2025, has won awards and critical acclaim. It recently opened the 26th edition of the Rio Film Festival, with sold-out screenings, reflecting the great enthusiasm surrounding the production.
Directed by Jacques Audiard (known for “Rust and Bone” and “A Prophet”), the film was shot in Mexico and is mostly spoken in Spanish. Emília Pérez blends elements of Mexican crime drama and musical to tell the intertwined story of two individuals in search of a brighter future: Manitas del Monte (played by Karla Sofía Gascón, Spanish actress from “Rebelde”), a drug cartel boss who dreams of becoming a woman, and Rita Moro Castro (played by Zoë Saldaña, from “Avatar: The Path of Water” and “Crash”), a discredited lawyer who sees the offer to help Manitas as a chance to transform her own life.
The pact between them requires Manitas to abandon his past in drug trafficking, including his family. For Rita, the responsibility of resolving the practical details of the plan generates a sense of urgency, which is reflected in the film’s fast-paced narrative. Soon, Manitas becomes Emilia Pérez, a transformation that not only changes Rita’s life, but also impacts the lives of two other women: Jessi (Selena Gomez, from “Only Murders in the Building” and “Wizards of Waverly Place”), Manitas’ widow, who finds herself trapped in a lie while trying to live with Emilia, and Epifanía (Adriana Paz, from “Vis a Vis”), who, in search of redemption, starts an organization to help missing people, since Mexico is one of the countries where the most people go missing.
Emilia Pérez explores these women’s journeys of self-discovery: Emilia faces the reality of finally living her dream, Rita navigates the complexity of achieving success and discovering her internalized emptiness, Jessi tries to find happiness again with another man (Edgar Ramírez), and Epifanía learns to live without fear and to love again.
Music is a central element of the film, organically inserted into the narrative to reinforce emotions and themes. Unlike classic musicals such as Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia, or even Les Misérables, Emília Pérez’s soundtrack provokes a wide range of feelings, from intimidation and impact to discomfort.
It is worth noting that the cinematography and choreography are highlights of the film, further enriching the experience. The cinematography captures the nuances of the Mexican landscapes and the characters’ most intimate moments, while the choreography adds an extra layer of expressiveness and dynamism to the scenes. It is no wonder that Karla Sofía Gascón was awarded the Best Actress award at Cannes, a victory that underscores the strength and depth of the performances that characterize the feature film Emília Pérez.
With its innovative approach and rich human nuances, Emília Pérez promises not only to be a strong contender at international festivals, but also to win the hearts of audiences by exploring universal themes of identity, transformation, and redemption.