10 · 18 · 24

Press Conference for EMILIA PÉREZ: "In the end, we are talking about human beings..."

Omar Sosa

Before the screening of Emilia Pérez, the inaugural film at the 22nd edition of the Morelia International Film Festival (FICM), a press conference was held with director Jacques Audiard in attendance.

"There was no other option. I was genuinely dazzled when I saw the film at the Cannes Film Festival. I think it is extraordinary work," said Daniela Michel, general director and founder of the festival.

The conference was attended by Jean-Christophe Berjon, general delegate of the Biarritz Latin American Film Festival and former director of the Cannes Critics' Week, actresses Adriana Paz and Karla Sofia Gascon, choreographer Damien Jalet and costume designer Virginie Montel.

Director Jacques Audiard said that surrounding himself with people whose Spanish was very meticulous helped him enormously while filming, although he noted that this is not the first film he has made in a language he doesn't speak.

“The dialogue exchange interests me less than the acting and the musicality,” the French filmmaker remarked.

Adriana Paz, the first Mexican to win Best Actress at the Cannes Film Festival for her portrayal of Epiphany in Emilia Perez, said that despite not being and not considering herself a professional singer, singing in the film was something that moved her deeply.

“It was a challenge, but it was actually a gift,” added the actress, whom Berjon, as moderator of the conference, referred to as “the Mexican of the moment.”

In addition to being very grateful to the Mexican audience and their warm welcome, Karla Sofía Gascón explained that the biggest challenge she faced was achieving a Mexican accent that didn't sound like a joke.

She also revealed that she was apprehensive about how her performance would be received by Mexican spectators.

Jacques Audiard tells the press: “Emilia Perez is about people”

Questioned by the press about why he chose Mexico for his new film, Jacques Audiard said he was familiar with situations in the country such as the disappearance of young people.

"Here in Mexico, they are present, but in France, news about missing people is released and two days later they are already forgotten. I am not going to forget, I do not forget,” he assured.

The French director explained that Emilia Perez is not about countries, but about people; about humans with their own feelings, thoughts and situations.

Adding to what Audiard said, Madrid-born actress Karla Sofía Gascón said that with the movie, the feeling is one of loving Mexico and wanting to be a better person: “The Mexican people have wonderful things.”

“In the end, what we're talking about is human beings and that's what matters,” the actress stressed.