Zoe Saldaña's Spanish-speaking role in 'Emilia Pérez' was a long-awaited opportunity, according to the star
Zoe Saldaña has gifted audiences a treasure trove of emotionally charged performances in iconic film franchises, complemented by an extensive roster of TV and movie roles. Her latest venture in Netflix's audacious thriller-musical amalgamation "Emilia Pérez" is akin to adorning an already sumptuous cake with intricate icing. In this project, the "Avatar" luminary not only acts but also showcases her vocal prowess through singing and rapping, all in Spanish—marking her inaugural major role in her native tongue. Saldaña, whose father hailed from the Dominican Republic and whose mother is Puerto Rican, shared with Elle Magazine in a recent interview that the chance to leverage her bilingual dexterity hadn't surfaced until now.
"Projects either didn't resonate with me, or perhaps an Afro-Caribbean Latina wasn't deemed suitable," she remarked. "It's a blend of adhering to a director's vision, which deserves respect, and confronting the pervasive colonialism and colorism in Latin America," Saldaña elucidated. "I thought, 'That's fine, I'll forge my own path, venture into space, turn green, turn blue (as seen in 'Guardians of the Galaxy' and 'Avatar'), and embrace these roles.' Fifteen years later, I find myself longing for that cultural reconnection."
Under the direction of Jacques Audiard and inspired by Boris Razon's 2018 novel "Écoute," "Emilia Pérez" commences with Saldaña's character, Rita, an overburdened lawyer in Mexico who clinches a legal victory only to be ensnared in a cartel leader's machinations. The film's introductory number alone signals that "Pérez" diverges drastically from conventional movie musicals. Saldaña leads extravagant scenes that fluidly oscillate between reality and fantasy, featuring ensembles of auxiliary actors and dancers.
In the narrative, the formidable cartel leader, Manitas, seeks Rita's assistance to unveil a long-guarded secret—his aspiration to transition into a woman. Played by Karla Sofía Gascón, Manitas' metamorphosis into Emilia Pérez forms the emotional core of the film, nurtured by Saldaña's Rita amidst the turmoil faced by Manitas' unaware and disenchanted spouse Jessi, portrayed by Selena Gomez. This dynamic ensemble of actresses, including Adriana Paz as Emilia's romantic interest in the latter half of the film, collectively clinched the best actress accolade at the Cannes Film Festival earlier this year.
Saldaña expressed gratitude toward casting directors, lauding them as instrumental figures in her Hollywood journey. She described them as "remarkable women who unearth hidden gems," acknowledging their pivotal role in showcasing her prowess through meticulously curated audition tapes. "Where would I stand without their support?" Saldaña pondered, highlighting their dedication and precision. "Some directors and producers doubted my suitability for certain roles, preferring traditional choices. Yet, these casting directors insisted, 'You must see her.'"
"Emilia Pérez" is currently available for streaming on Netflix.
