Emilia Pérez: A Genre-Defying Musical That Redefines Transformation and Identity
In Emilia Pérez, director Jacques Audiard presents a bold narrative that blends music and storytelling to explore transformation, identity, and resilience in a genre-defying musical. The film follows the journey of Manitas del Monte, a notorious cartel boss who decides to leave behind a life of crime and undergo gender reassignment surgery to become Emilia Pérez. This unique transformation is conveyed through a series of musical numbers that combine rock, pop, and rap, capturing the essence of Manitas’ evolution and those around her.
The film stars Zoe Saldaña as Rita, a fierce lawyer who supports Manitas, and Selena Gomez as Jessi, a rebellious character and Emilia’s estranged wife. The cast also includes Karla Sofía Gascón, who delivers a breakout performance as the lead. The story of Emilia Pérez unfolds in a Mexico impacted by narco violence, machismo, and corruption, making the characters’ transformations and struggles all the more poignant.
One of the film’s distinguishing features is how the music directly drives the storyline. French composer Clément Ducol, along with singer-songwriter Camille, crafted a score that dives deep into the characters’ emotional states. “The goal was that the music and the songs were linked to the story and deal with emotions,” Ducol shared with Billboard. “It wasn’t only music reflecting the story but the music was the story.” The musical numbers are not just background enhancements but serve as essential storytelling devices, highlighting each character’s challenges and desires.
Audiard involved Ducol and Camille early in the creative process, sharing a 20-page treatment of the concept before the script was complete. For Camille, the opportunity to work with Audiard was particularly compelling. “I knew he would go for something very natural and break the codes of a musical. I believed in Emilia Pérez from the start,” she said. Camille’s vision and approach complemented Audiard’s intent to craft a musical that feels raw and grounded in reality.
Writing the songs in Spanish posed a challenge for the French team, but with the guidance of language consultants Karla Aviles and Ignacio Chávez, they were able to capture the nuances and cultural references of the Mexican setting. The consultants provided crucial insight, ensuring that each song resonated authentically with the characters’ experiences.
Emilia Pérez combines diverse musical styles with an unconventional narrative structure to offer an intimate look at personal transformation. The musical numbers, sung entirely in Spanish, add layers of complexity to the characters, each grappling with unique struggles in a turbulent environment. Now available in select U.S. theaters and premiering November 13 on Netflix, Emilia Pérez challenges traditional musical conventions, bringing together a distinctive storyline with a compelling soundtrack. Through its fusion of music and drama, the film offers audiences a fresh perspective on identity, resilience, and the power of self-reinvention.
