Emilia Pérez
Sunday, March 2, 2025 by István Szarvas - Culture, Art
On February 28, 2025, I watched one of the star films of the 15th Francophone Film Days in Hungary at the Urania National Film Theatre in Budapest.
Emilia Pérez is a 2024 Spanish-language musical crime comedy produced in a French-Belgian-Mexican co-production, written and directed by Jacques Audiard. The film had its world premiere in the official selection of the 77th Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Jury Prize, and five of its actors jointly won the Best Actress Award. At the 37th European Film Awards, it won five awards, and in 2025 it was nominated for ten Golden Globe Awards, winning three. Emilia Pérez received thirteen Oscar nominations in twelve categories, making it the most nominated non-English-language film of all time.
Scene from the film (Source: Mozinet)
The film's lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, is the first openly transgender woman to be nominated for an Oscar in the Best Actress category. Other cast members include Zoë Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Édgar Ramírez. Emilia Pérez was nominated in categories for Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress.
The story follows the leader of a Mexican drug cartel who is tired of his cruel life and plans to start anew. With the help of his lawyer, he fakes his death to return later as a woman. The film showcases his transformation and the challenges of his new life as he tries to stay hidden from the cartel members who are hunting him. The story is both dramatic and humorous, portraying the ruthless world of Mexican drug cartels and Emilia Pérez’s human side as she searches for her new identity and freedom.
The music is composed by renowned French composer Alexandre Desplat, whose work has previously received numerous accolades. The film’s music is powerful and emotional, perfectly fitting the scenes and mood. It blends elements of Mexican folk music with contemporary film score styles, creating a unique atmosphere.
The film's soundtrack includes songs performed by famous artists like Selena Gomez and Karla Sofía Gascón, who also star in the film. These songs are not only memorable but also enhance the film's mood and emotional depth.
Emilia Pérez not only takes us into the world of transgender people but also into the world of Mexican drug cartels, offering a painful snapshot of the country's internal moral state.
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