Singing and Dancing with Crime: Inside 'Emilia Pérez'

Award-winning director Jacques Audiard recently sat down with the stars of his latest film, 'Emilia Pérez,' at Deadline's Contenders London. The film is a musical crime thriller starring Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña, and Selena Gomez. Gascón plays a dual role as Manitas, a cartel boss, and Emilia, who he becomes after faking his death. Audiard revealed that the use of song and dance was planned early on. "Opera gave us the freedom to explore different forms," he explained. This allowed for a unique blend of music and storytelling. Gascón was drawn to the role because Audiard respected Manitas' true motivation for transitioning. She emphasized, "It wasn’t just about escaping the law, but truly feeling trapped in the wrong body. " Saldaña plays Rita, the lawyer helping Emilia, and highlighted how Rita's character also undergoes a transformation. "Rita was desperate for change and power," said Saldaña. "She shed her old skin by the time she meets Emilia again. " Gomez, who portrays Emilia's ex-wife Jesse, shared her enthusiasm for the project. "Working with Audiard was an honor," she said. "It’s been a learning experience and a stepping stone for me as an actor. "