Zoe Saldaña has already bestowed upon us a treasure trove of emotionally charged characters across three blockbuster film series, coupled with an extensive resume spanning television and cinema. Her latest endeavor in Netflix's innovative thriller-musical hybrid, "Emilia Pérez," feels like the exquisite decoration atop an already lavish feast.
The star of "Avatar" not only acts and sings but also delivers a powerful rap performance in "Pérez," all in Spanish—marking her first significant role in the language. Saldaña, whose father hailed from the Dominican Republic and mother is Puerto Rican, revealed in an interview with Elle Magazine this week that the chance to showcase her bilingual prowess had "rarely arisen" until now.
"Either the project wasn't a suitable fit for me, or an Afro-Caribbean Latina wasn't deemed appropriate for the role," she recounted. "It's a delicate balance between respecting a director's vision and confronting colonialism and colorism, which are deeply ingrained in Latin America," Saldaña elaborated. "I accepted it, thinking, 'I'll dance to my own tune, traverse space as a blue or green alien in films like "Guardians of the Galaxy" and "Avatar," and embrace every opportunity.' But fifteen years passed, and I longed for that reconnection."
Directed by Jacques Audiard and adapted from Boris Razon's 2018 novel "Écoute," "Emilia Pérez" introduces us to Rita, played by Saldaña, an overburdened and unappreciated lawyer in Mexico who, after winning a case, becomes entangled in the affairs of a cartel boss. The film's opening sequence, led by Saldaña, hints at its uniqueness as a movie musical, featuring elaborate scenes that blur the lines between reality and fantasy, supported by an ensemble of actors and backup dancers.
In the narrative, Rita is approached by the menacing cartel boss, Manitas, who enlists her help with a long-held secret—his desire to transition into a woman. Karla Sofía Gascón portrays Manitas' journey of becoming Emilia Pérez, which serves as the film's core, guided by Saldaña's Rita and set against the backdrop of Manitas' unsuspecting and disillusioned wife, Jessi, played by Selena Gomez.
This trio of actresses, joined by Adriana Paz who stars as Emilia's love interest in the film's second half, received the Best Actress award at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year. Saldaña attributed her success to the casting directors, highlighting them as key figures in Hollywood who have professionally supported her. She described them as "remarkable women who consistently uncover hidden gems."
"Where would I be without these women?" Saldaña pondered, detailing their meticulousness in helping her present her best self in taped auditions. "Some directors and producers were hesitant, saying, 'We want to stay traditional; I don't think she's right for the role.' But they'd insist, 'No, no, you need to see her.'"
"Emilia Pérez" is now streaming on Netflix.
