Karla Sofía Gascón: A star on the rise in ‘Emilia Pérez’
A groundbreaking role in a high-energy musical
For Karla Sofía Gascón, the star of Emilia Pérez, the opportunity to make history as the first trans actress ever to be nominated for an Oscar is a source of immense pride. Reflecting on her role, Gascón shared, “It is a very complicated character, which is at the stature of the huge Hollywood characters — a kind of character Marlon Brando, or Meryl Streep, or Javier Bardem would play.” Speaking through an interpreter during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival, she added, “It was a huge challenge to put myself in the skin of such a layered and complex character. I had to change my voice and accent. I had to sing. I’m proud of what I see when I look at myself on screen. In a word that sums it all up — it’s a gift that life gave me.”
A visionary director and a stellar cast
Gascón, along with her Emilia Pérez castmates — Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez, and Adriana Paz — praised director Jacques Audiard’s vision for the critically acclaimed musical. Gascón not only plays the titular character but also portrays the drug lord kingpin that Emilia transitions from, a process that resonated deeply with her own experiences.
Zoe Saldaña: Breaking new ground
Zoe Saldaña, known for her roles in some of the highest-grossing films of all time, believes Emilia Pérez allowed her to explore new dimensions of her craft. “Being in blue and green had its benefits,” Saldaña said with a laugh, referring to her roles in Avatar and Guardians of the Galaxy. “The connection it gave me with science fiction, which I do have a natural affinity for. Also, Avatar was a film that I was able to incorporate so many parts of my craft. What I think happened with Avatar is there was a lack of understanding. I still feel that in 2009, Avatar was way ahead of its time. Jim [Cameron] has always been ahead of his time.”
Saldaña continued, “But now, we’re gonna jump to Emilia. I was given an opportunity to showcase everything that we consider art and forms of it… Being a part of a story that is so important, so proactive, so authentic, fresh, and daring was, to me, the highlight of it all.”
Selena Gomez: A transformative audition
Selena Gomez recalled her audition for the role of Jessi, a woman torn between her love for her husband and a future that no longer includes him. “Jacques was the one who saw something in me. In the audition, I had done things I never thought I could do just because of how he saw the character. I wanted to embody her completely.”
Édgar Ramírez: A catalyst for love
Édgar Ramírez, who plays Gustavo, a drug lord, expressed his excitement about being a “catalyst” in the story and “to have the opportunity to fall in love with Selena because I believe that love was true. Love is messy, not a straight line.”
Gomez smiled, “I loved him [Edgar], and I only say past tense because I have a new love in my life.”
Adriana Paz: Embracing risk
As Epifanía, Emilia’s love interest, Adriana Paz performs a beautiful duet with Gascón, which shares its name with the movie. “It’s a wild story, very risky,” Paz said. “When I first read the script, I thought this could be a failure, but it was amazing. It’s the thing that happens when you take risks.”
A film to watch
Emilia Pérez screens at TIFF on Tuesday, Sept. 10. Netflix will distribute the film with a limited theatrical release on Nov. 1 before it debuts on the streaming platform on Nov. 13.
For cinema enthusiasts, this film is a must-watch, not only for its groundbreaking representation but also for its compelling narrative and stellar performances. The journey of Karla Sofía Gascón and her castmates in Emilia Pérez is a testament to the power of storytelling and the transformative nature of cinema.