Key Points:
- Emilia Pérez, a genre-defying musical crime thriller, streams on Netflix from November 13, 2024.
- Selena Gomez embraced speaking almost entirely in Spanish, reconnecting with a buried part of herself.
- Zoe Saldaña prepared for an emotionally layered role, collaborating deeply with Jacques Audiard.
- Both actors highlighted the unique musical performances, prioritizing emotional rawness over vocal perfection.
The Emilia Pérez blends music, crime, and human drama in a compelling narrative crafted by director Jacques Audiard. Starring Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez, the film follows Emilia, a former cartel leader seeking a new identity and redemption, and Rita, a lawyer who helps her navigate the challenges. Both stars revealed that preparing for these transformative roles required a mix of emotional vulnerability, cultural immersion, and musical spontaneity.
Selena Gomez’s Journey: Reconnecting with Her Roots Through Emilia Pérez
For Selena Gomez, playing Jessi, Emilia’s ex-wife, was more than just a role—it was a deeply personal experience. The film demanded Gomez to perform almost entirely in Spanish, a challenge she eagerly embraced.
“I think it was something I was always eager to do and something I was dying to do, and I was beyond myself,” she shared. “I felt like I could reconnect to a part of myself that got buried in all of my other work.”
Stepping into Jessi’s emotionally complex character required Gomez to tap into new layers of her artistry. Her performance shines in one of the film’s standout moments—a karaoke duet with Edgar Ramírez. Describing the scene, Gomez noted how spontaneous it felt:
“It was clumsy and cute and romantic and sexy. It was fun.”
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Zoe Saldaña’s Immersive Collaboration with Jacques Audiard in Emilia Pérez
Zoe Saldaña’s preparation for the role of Rita was equally transformative. Jacques Audiard’s intricate vision of Emilia Pérez initially required a detailed, hour-and-a-half-long conversation over Zoom. Reflecting on the meeting, Saldaña described Audiard’s intellectual approach as inspiring:
“I felt it; I felt that it was special.”
Rita, an unfulfilled lawyer who becomes Emilia’s closest ally, offers Saldaña an opportunity to explore a dynamic and contrasting character. According to the actress, Rita’s relationship with Emilia is essential to the story:
“Rita is inflicted by fear, and Emilia’s ignited by adventure and life, but they need each other.”
The chemistry between the two characters captures a universal relatability despite the film’s extraordinary circumstances. Saldaña compared the connection to real-life inspirations:
“Understanding that relationship immediately reminded me of so many women that I grew up, [whom I] wanted to be like and wanted to be near to. And myself as well; all the things that I kind of want to work on myself.”
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Raw Emotion in the Musical Performances
One of Emilia Pérez’s most defining features is its musical numbers, which focus on the characters’ emotional states rather than technical perfection. Saldaña explained: “It was never about hitting that note. Once you’re in the emotional state of your character, that defines the tone of your voice.”
The cast embraced the live recording of musical scenes, guided by Audiard’s vision. Gomez echoed Saldaña’s sentiment, describing the songs as “raw” and “wonderful.” This unconventional approach allowed the actors to surprise themselves, resulting in performances that feel authentic and deeply resonant.
More About Emilia Pérez
Emilia Pérez is an ambitious project that weaves together themes of redemption, identity, and love through bold visuals and stirring music. With an ensemble cast including Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia and Edgar Ramírez in a memorable supporting role, the film has captivated audiences since its festival debut.
Streaming begins on November 13, 2024, exclusively on Netflix.
Source: ScreenRant Plus
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