Selena Gomez‘s Spanish-language film debut is finally here.
Gomez stars in Cannes award-winning film “Emilia Pérez” from writer/director Jacques Audiard. The musical feature follows four women in Mexico who are each pursuing their own happiness. The official synopsis reads: “The fearsome cartel leader Emilia (Karla Sofía Gascón) enlists Rita (Zoe Saldaña), an unappreciated lawyer stuck in a dead-end job, to help fake her death so that Emilia can finally live authentically as her true self.”
Gomez plays Jessi, with Adriana Paz as Epifanía and Edgar Ramírez as Gustavo.
The film won the Cannes Jury Prize and the Cannes Best Actress Prize for the four lead stars of Gascón, Saldaña, Gomez, and Paz. The feature also was awarded the Cannes Soundtrack Award, with music by Clément Ducol and Camille.
Audiard tailored Gomez’s character to be Mexican-American to reflect the “Only Murders in the Building” star’s own heritage.
“Latinx [identity] in America is very similar to what my character is portraying, which is [speaking] English and Spanish at the same time,” Gomez told The Hollywood Reporter. “We were able to build the character, Jessi, around my ability, and I was so grateful for that. It allowed me to not only focus on just making sure I was speaking Spanish — I could be a little bit more free and focus on my performance. But it was probably the best experience that I’ve had on a set since ‘Spring Breakers.’ I’ve been very lucky to be in great projects, but those two have a special place in my heart, because it was something I was afraid to do. It was something I wanted to challenge myself [with].”
She added, “I couldn’t be more excited about this project, and I was more than shocked over the reception, because none of us had seen the film until we were at the festival. Clearly, we were in great hands with Jacques. I never doubted it. I’m blown away at the reception, and rightfully so. The women in this movie are fantastic.”
“Emilia Pérez” is produced by Audiard, Pascal Caucheteux, Valérie Schermann, and Anthony Vaccarello, with Pauline Lamy executive producing.
“Emilia Pérez” premieres in select theaters November 1 and will stream on Netflix November 13. Check out the trailer below.
