The buzz surrounding Jacques Audiard’s Spanish-language musical Emilia Pérez is impossible to ignore. With an all-star cast and six Oscar shortlist nods across categories like International Feature Film, Original Song, and Makeup and Hairstyling, the film is poised to make waves at the upcoming Academy Awards.
Emilia Pérez: Controversies
While Emilia Pérez has been praised for its vibrant musicality and bold storytelling, its reception hasn’t been without controversy.
Selena Gomez, who plays Jessi in the film, has drawn attention, albeit for different reasons. Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez criticized Gomez’s Spanish as “indefensible,” sparking backlash from fans. Gomez responded gracefully, stating that she did her best with the time she had and emphasizing the heart she put into the project. Despite the drama, Gomez has secured a Golden Globe nomination.
Adding to the controversy, another debate centers on the performances of Karla Sofía Gascón and Zoe Saldaña, particularly the studio’s controversial awards campaign strategy.
In the movie, Saldaña plays Rita, the lawyer who assists cartel boss Manitas in faking her death and transforming into the titular Emilia Pérez, played by Karla Sofía Gascón.
Saldaña’s screen time in the film—57 minutes and 50 seconds, representing 43.69% of the runtime—is slightly more than Gascón’s, which raises questions about categorizing Saldaña as a supporting actress while campaigning Gascón for lead actress.
This situation isn’t unprecedented in Oscars history; past examples like Timothy Hutton in Ordinary People highlight how a “supporting” actor can dominate the narrative and screen time. Still, voters rarely use screen time alone to define lead and supporting roles. Instead, they evaluate narrative focus, character arc, and the filmmakers’ intent, often aligning with campaign strategies.
In addition, critics have called out the film’s portrayal of trans identity as problematic. For many, the film’s treatment of its trans protagonist feels retrograde, overshadowing its creative achievements.
Could Emilia Pérez Take Home an Oscar?
Technically, with six shortlist nods and a compelling awards campaign, Emilia Pérez has a solid chance to secure nominations across various categories. However, its polarizing reception and the intense debate over its portrayal of Hispanic culture, glorifying narco violence and trans identity may hinder its chances in the top categories.
For Saldaña and Gascón, their fates rest on whether voters prioritize campaign strategies, screen time statistics, or the performances’ narrative significance.
But, as for now, it seems like even though the critics may love this movie, the public… not so much.
