Netflix has obtained the rights to distribute the new film “Emilia Pérez” both in theaters and on its streaming platform. The movie tells the story of a former cartel leader who undergoes gender transition surgery. “Emilia Pérez” debuted at the Cannes Film Festival in May, where it received critical acclaim and won multiple awards.
Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film blends crime drama with musical elements to explore issues of identity. It stars Zoe Saldana as Rita, a lawyer who helps the title character fake their death. transgender actor Karla Sofía Gascón takes on the lead role of Emilia Pérez. Selena Gomez and Edgar Ramírez also star. At Cannes, audiences gave the film an 11-minute standing ovation. Critics have praised its unique style and portrayal of Mexican culture.
Netflix paid $8 million to secure the rights to “Emilia Pérez” after significant interest from other distributors. The film is set for a limited theatrical release on November 1st before becoming available to stream on November 13th exclusively on Netflix. Although the movie is set in Mexico, it was primarily shot in a French studio for practical reasons. However, director Audiard ensured the film’s cultural representation remained authentic.
At a press conference, Saldana complimented Audiard’s celebration of Mexico’s “beautiful and rich” culture. For Gomez, the role marked her first Spanish-language film. She spent over a year practicing Spanish with her family, especially her father, to perform well. The newly released teaser trailer offers glimpses of the film’s tone through portraits and scenes of violence set to an ominous score. As awards season approaches, “Emilia Pérez” is attracting attention for its boundary-pushing narrative and star-studded cast.
