Why ‘Emilia Pérez’ Is So Controversial

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In a somewhat disputed victory at the 2025 Golden Globe Awards, Emilia Pérez emerged triumphant. This French production, predominantly in Spanish, won over audience favorites such as Anora, Wicked, and The Substance for Best Motion Picture-Musical or Comedy. However, it was its somewhat debatable content that made this win a subject of contention.

The movie Emilia Pérez, essentially, narrates the tale of Emilia Pérez, a former Mexican cartel leader who transitions medically and departs from her crime-laden past with the aid of a crooked lawyer. The story is presented in an eccentric musical format.

In the leading role, we find Karla Sofía Gascón, accompanied by an impressive supporting cast including Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz. Given its star-studded lineup and previous triumphs, this movie promises to be a powerful showcase.

Here’s the breakdown:
1. The film stars Karla Sofía Gascón in the titular role – In the leading role of the film, we find Karla Sofía Gascón.
2. as well as a supporting cast of the likes of Zoe Saldaña – accompanied by an impressive supporting cast including Zoe Saldana.
3. Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz – Selena Gomez, and Adriana Paz are also part of this cast.
4. With such forces and wins behind it – Given its star-studded lineup and previous triumphs.
5. this movie promises to be a powerful showcase – This movie promises to be a powerful showcase given its star-studded lineup and previous triumphs.

Lack of Mexican Input

Emilia Pérez, the movie in question, is heavily rooted in and centered around Mexico. Yet, some viewers have pointed out an inconsistency as director Audiard does not speak either Spanish or English, the main languages used in the film. Given this, it’s understandable why some might feel a disconnect visually. Notably, with the exception of Adriana Paz, none of the principal actresses are natives of Mexico. Gomez has Mexican ancestry but is an American citizen, while Gascón and Saldaña have Spanish and Latin American roots respectively.

Furthermore, it’s worth noting that none of the movie was actually filmed in Mexico. In contrast, Emilia Pérez was entirely produced in France. As Rolling Stone reports, Audiard visited Mexico a few times, but he felt that filming outside of France would be restrictive.

Furthermore, Mexican audiences and experts in the field have expressed concerns about the film Emilia Pérez containing numerous stereotypes. Others have criticized its lack of accuracy in detail. For instance, Rodrigo Prieto, a cinematographer on the film Killers of the Flower Moon, spoke to Business Insider about this issue, stating, “Inauthentic details such as a jail sign reading ‘Cárcel’ instead of ‘Penitenciaria’ suggest that no one with knowledge was involved. This oversight was concerning for me because it showed a lack of attention and dedication to authenticity.

A more recent viral statement by Mexican actor Mauricio Martinez states, “When Mexicans tell you that a movie set in Mexico, made by a French director who has never visited Mexico and openly declared he didn’t need to research the film is depicting a Mexico brimming with stereotypes, misinformation, disregard, and capitalizing on one of the most severe humanitarian crises globally (the mass disappearances in Mexico)… .

Selena Gomez’s Performance

In Emilia Pérez, it is noticeable that Gomez portrays her character with a distinctly Spanish accent. However, this character is written as American-born, which seems to be a deliberate tactic to showcase Gomez’s proficiency in the language. Gomez herself has openly expressed her regret for not having had more opportunities to hone her Spanish skills before taking on the role of Emilia Pérez.

Despite receiving numerous award nominations this season, her performance in the film has faced intense criticism. Eugenio Derbez, a renowned Mexican actor who starred in the Best Picture-winning film “Coda,” labeled her acting as “Indefensible.” In response to this critique, Gomez stated, “I’m sorry, I did my best with the time I had. My dedication and effort for this movie should not be overlooked.” Additionally, there has been a wave of jokes online about Gomez since the film’s release, as many Spanish-speaking viewers scrutinize her pronunciation in the movie.

A “Step Back For Trans Representation”

The character Emilia Perez was criticized as a deeply outdated portrayal of trans women and a regressive step in trans representation. This criticism stems from the storyline where Emilia utilizes gender-affirming surgery and her trans identity to evade her past, which is a common trap in media representations of trans individuals, as highlighted by documentaries such as Disclosure.

In her former life, Emilia was responsible for numerous inexcusable crimes as a cartel leader. Later, she orchestrates her own apparent demise, even deceiving her spouse and children. This narrative seems to imply that transitioning as a transgender person is merely a means of escape. However, the revised script calls for a more nuanced portrayal of the trans experience. The original script had a comedic tone and lacked the depth and emotional resonance it now possesses (for instance, the script explicitly shows Emilia’s strong desire to transition to become the person she truly is, rather than as a way to avoid anything. There is even a song that expresses this).

Nevertheless, Emilia Pérez isn’t immune to scornful feelings towards the trans experience. A particularly absurd musical number, “The Vaginoplasty Song,” which offers an overly simplistic and derisive explanation of gender-affirming surgery, has been spreading rapidly online, with many commenting, “this can’t possibly be a real movie.

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2025-01-13 02:33