[KENNEDY FELTON]

Award-Winning Film ‘Emilia Pérez’ Faces Backlash Over Cultural, LGBTQ+ Representation

With multiple awards already under its belt and expectations for Oscar nominations this season, “Emilia Pérez” has captivated international audiences. But its success has also sparked debates over its portrayal of the communities it aims to represent.

“Emilia Pérez” is a musical that tells the story of Juan “Manitas” del Monte – a notorious Mexican cartel leader who fakes his own death to undergo gender-affirming surgery and begins a new life as Emilia Pérez. She sets out to seek justice for victims affected by the violence of the drug trade in Mexico. But this unique plotline is where much of the controversy lies.

Critics from Mexican and LGBTQ+ communities argue that the film minimizes the gravity of these issues, presenting them within the context of a musical crime comedy.

In a viral post on “X,” one user calls out the Academy with a graphic reading, “Mexico hates Emilia Pérez / Racist Euro Centrist Mockery / Almost 500K dead and France decides to do a musical.” Speaking to the BBC, the poster said he originally framed the criticism like Hollywood promotions to draw attention to the film’s problematic elements.

GLAAD – an organization that advocates for LGBTQ+ representation – also took issue. In an article from last November, they call the film “a step backward for trans representation,” implying it relies on harmful stereotypes rather than meaningful depictions.

Since 2006, Mexico’s drug war has caused widespread suffering. Then-President Felipe Calderón launched a military campaign to combat cartels, leading to an estimated 100,000 disappearances and even more deaths. This reality leaves communities and families in Mexico displaced – a backdrop the film attempts to explore through a unique lens.

“I liked the fact that the story of the disappeared was told through the eyes of a trans woman… It’s unrealistic, I know, but I’m an idealist.” – Jacques Audiard | Director

In an interview with Variety this month, the film’s director says, “I liked the fact that the story of the disappeared was told through the eyes of a trans woman… It’s unrealistic, I know, but I’m an idealist.” By combining elements of opera, musical, and crime drama, he aimed to craft a narrative that would resonate on multiple levels. But for many, the film’s blend of genres doesn’t land.

Criticism also extends to casting. A casting director tells ‘The Contending’ that many characters’ storylines were rewritten because the actors hired were not Mexican.

“The director saying they could not find any talent in Mexico so therefore they had to hire Selena Gomez to play the part… someone who time and time again has refused to learn the language.”

“Emilia Pérez” has already won four Golden Globe Awards and five European Film Awards. The film is also expected to be a major contender at this year’s Oscars.