Cannes 2024: The gonzo trans Mexican drug lord musical ‘Emilia Perez’ lights up festival

CANNES, France (AP) — On paper, Jacques Audiard’s buzzed-about Cannes Movie Pageant entry “Emilia Perez” wouldn’t appear something like a good suggestion for a film.

The movie, which premiered Saturday in Cannes, might be the primary film that may sincerely be in comparison with each “Sicario” and “Mrs. Doubtfire” — and that’s only a begin.

Zoe Saldaña stars as Rita, a Mexico Metropolis lawyer employed by the cartel kingpin Manitas to assist him flee Mexico for gender affirmation surgical procedure. This seems to be the start of a relationship that can proceed between Rita and Emilia Perez (Karla Sofía Gascón). Emilia returns years later, posing as Manitas’ sister, to remain near her youngsters who’re residing together with her ex-wife (Selena Gomez).

Additionally, it’s a musical.

As gonzo as its premise could also be, or presumably due to it, “Emilia Perez” gave Cannes a mid-festival jolt. Although not each critic has swooned for its melodramatic grandeur, there was applause even after the movie’s press screening.

“It occurred to me as a sort of opera,” Audiard advised reporters Sunday.

Audiard, the protean French filmmaker of “A Prophet,” “Rust and Bone” and the 2015 Cannes Palme d’Or winner “Dheepan,” stated the thought first occurred to him whereas studying a novel with a chapter a couple of narco trafficker who wished to alter his id. From that start line, Audiard constructed a shifting narrative worthy of a telenovela.

“To get into this type of movie by Jacques, it’s important to be like Jacques, who’s a bit mad,” stated Gascón, laughing.

Whereas the movie boasts a pair of well-known stars in Gomez and Saldaña, Gascón is the revelation of the film. The 52-year-old Gascón, who’s trans, performs each the ruthless Manitas, with a grill protecting his enamel, and the benevolent, bubbly Emilia. The 2 roles have strikingly bodily presences.

“It was troublesome at first. I didn’t need to play the a part of Manitas. I solely wished to play the a part of Emilia. It took a number of months for me to persuade myself that I might do each,” stated Gascón. “At one level, we didn’t know who could be enjoying the 2 characters after which it turned fairly apparent that it could be me.”

Audacious as “Emilia Perez” might sound, it comes off remarkably sincerely. The movie, pondering questions of non-public change, follows Rita and Emilia throughout years and a number of international locations. The songs are penned by French pop musician Camille; Clément Docul does the rating; and Gomez will get a second on the microphone at a karaoke bar.

Gascón on Sunday stated she hoped Emilia could be seen as not only a trans character.

“Trans individuals ought to be handled like simply anyone else. I’m not higher or worse than anybody else. I believe we ought to be taken for what we’re,” stated Gascón. “We have now our physique and we’re allowed to alter it as a result of we need to.”

The narrative leaps and tonal juxtapositions of “Emilia Perez” could also be loads for some, however for Audiard, that was a lot of the attraction.

“One thing shocks me deeply in Mexico — all these issues of lacking individuals. There are entire areas you may’t go as a result of they aren’t secure,” stated the director. “I wished to make a musical. So why not towards the background of a tragedy?”