The Golden Globes officially kicked off the 2025 awards season. It also showcased some of the favorite productions that received the most votes at various awards ceremonies. But, in particular, he made it clear that this will be a controversial year. This is after Emilia PerezJacques Audiard’s musical “The Musical” won four statuettes. Which included the best musical or comedy of the year, above the favorite Wicked. What has revived the criticism surrounding the film, its premise and even the cultural background it is trying to show.
Since its premiere at Cannes, the film has generated all sorts of controversy. During the festival, she made history by winning the Best Actress award for her co-stars Carla Sofia Gascon, Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña and Adriana Paz. So there was a lot of anticipation ahead of its arrival on Netflix in the US in November. However, immediately a scandal seemed to erupt around the production. Not only because of the quality and points of view on topics of critical importance to Mexico. And also for processing it and researching the main elements of his script. Including gender identity.
The film, which tells the story of a drug dealer who fakes his death to undergo gender confirmation surgery, is necessarily controversial. But also, the director, who also writes the script, decided to use the scenario of forced disappearances in Mexico to humanize his protagonist. And all this in the middle of a musical in which long dance numbers describe surgical procedures, violence and death. A point of view that caused concern and then rejection of the film. Moreover, as awards season progresses, the contrast between The point of view of the specialized press and the public is becoming increasingly clear.
Problems of origin in “Emilia Perez”
After screening at Cannes, Netflix immediately bought the film for $12 million. A decision that once again demonstrated that the platform is focused on the opportunity to enhance its reputation based on films that have performed outstandingly during awards season. In case Emilia PerezMoreover, this is a production that, due to its atypical characteristics, has the potential to become more than a passing phenomenon. Something that forced the subscription service to focus its entire sizable apparatus promotions to make products more visible.
This is despite growing discomfort around the film and controversy on social media about its approach to sensitive issues. Overall, Netflix is much more interested in promoting the idea Emilia Perez This is avant-garde work. At the same time, despite the controversy, he manages to make visible characters and situations that otherwise would not reach public discussion. However, from the very beginning The plot sparked a complex debate about fiction and its scope.
On several occasions, Jacques Audiard stated that he was neither interested in being credible nor in studying Mexican reality too deeply. That’s because his film is a fantasy on a controversial topic. This is despite repeated criticism about the superficiality of its depiction of violence associated with drug trafficking. Or worse, turn trans identity into a form of quick redemption. Meanwhile, the director insists that his vision of the subject is much closer to subversion than exposé. In fact, he insisted that he did little research because he knew what it would take to say what he wanted. Always, according to the author, the only universal language is music. So not knowing Mexico or speaking Spanish is a form of detachment.
Gender identity at the center of controversy
In the film, drug dealer Manitas (Carla Sofia Gascón) decides to finally go in search of his true identity. Something that involves faking her death and having gender confirmation surgery. Finally, she appears as Emilia (also played by Gascón), who decides to dedicate her life to atone for the violence in her past life. And this is in a scenario in which he has to go deeper about what you want to achieve and much more, what tools you have for this.
To achieve the above, the director simplifies the entire process of gender confirmation. In fact, he sums up the entire process in a scene showing an operating room in Thailand, where Gascón’s character appears to be dealing with multiple procedures at once. A question that is debated because of its unreality (it is, of course) and also because it distracts from the steps of such a journey. A twist that results in the film not only failing to explore the transgender experience – it only does so through conversations between cisgender people – but also to romanticize it.
Controversial optics
Handyman becomes Emilia Perez and only in this way does he find the meaning of good. Thus, the film presents gender confirmation surgery as an ideal process that transforms an abusive man into a woman who abuses responsibly. This is, forgetting the real problem with the situation that focuses on women in Mexico and the impact of the drug trade on the situation.
This point was criticized by Mexican transgender activist Natalia Lane. For a journalist, the fact that Emilia Perez “In the midst of a human rights crisis for transwomen in Mexico” is not noticeable. A perspective that again points to concern that the film simplifies issues of considerable complexity and seriousness.
As if all of the above weren’t enough, Glaad, a Hollywood LGBTQ+ rights organization, expressed concern about the film’s transgender content. This is in addition to considering everything related to the main character. Emilia Perezas deeply retrograde. And also a “step back” in the way these stories are told.
Language dilemma in “Emilia Perez”
One of the things that has been talked about the most on various social networks is the accusation that Selena Gomez speaks little or no Spanish. A controversial point, considering that a good part of his dialogue is in language. Much more she plays a woman with Mexican roots. In various scenes of the film The actress’s obvious difficulties with pronunciation are noteworthy.
Something that made Mexican actor Eugenio Derbez criticize his performance and call it downright unjustified. About this in conversation with film critic Gaby Meza. The comment sparked a heated debate over the film’s Mexican representation, which Selena Gomez responded to directly. Shortly thereafter, in the midst of a nasty debate, Derbez apologized and admitted that he was, at the very least, inattentive to his opinions.
The criticism extends to the rest of the cast. Moreover, despite the fact that this is a film about Mexico and with Mexican characters, the three main actresses are not Mexican. A decision that sparked complex debates about Mexican ethnic identity and how it is represented in the film.Perhaps the most difficult thing you will have to face Emilia Perez.
Source: Hiper Textual
