"Emilia Pérez," a film centered around a transgender Mexican cartel leader reconciling with her past, is set to make waves at the upcoming Academy Awards with a staggering 13 nominations, the highest for any film this year. Notably, this also marks the most nominations for any non-English language film in Oscar history. Having already snagged several honors, including the award for best comedy or musical at the Golden Globes, it may seem like a successful production at first glance.
However, the reception within Mexico tells a contrasting story. Many critics have panned the film for its portrayal of Mexico, emphasizing the minimization of the severe cartel violence that affects countless lives across the nation. Discontent has grown further due to derogatory remarks made about the Spanish language by its French writer-director, Jacques Audiard, alongside insensitive comments from lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón regarding Islam and George Floyd.
The film experienced a delayed release in Mexico, arriving in theaters on January 23—five months after its premiere in France and two months post its U.S. debut. Consequently, audiences in Mexico have largely stayed away from theaters, prompting some to request refunds. In sharp contrast, a satirical short film mocking the French origins of "Emilia Pérez" has achieved viral status, while social media is rife with memes pressing the film's awkward reception.
Experts, including Francisco Peredo Castro, a film critic and communications professor at the National Autonomous University of Mexico, have described the situation surrounding "Emilia Pérez" as a "real disaster." Moreover, families of violence victims in Mexico have condemned its portrayal, adding further weight to the chorus of voices criticizing the film. Such widespread backlash highlights the disconnect between the film's accolades abroad and its perception at home, raising questions about cultural representation and the responsibilities of filmmakers to authentically portray their subjects.
