victory of Emilia PerezA French musical about a Mexican transgender drug lord will be screened at this weekend's Golden Globe Awards, drawing criticism from critics who say the film trivializes the mass deaths caused by the country's drug war. A wave of anger and disgust erupted across Latin America. .
Following the film's victory, Mexican social media users lamented the film's “stereotypes, ignorance, lack of respect and exploitation of one of the world's most serious humanitarian crises.” Critics lamented that the film's transgender identity issues serve to absolve an unscrupulous drug gang of responsibility for destroying thousands, if not millions, of lives. When the film was first released in November, when Hispanic viewers lamented singer and actress Selena Gomez's poor on-screen Spanish proficiency, It expanded far beyond the initial rejection by the government.
Emilia Perez This musical, directed by French director Jacques Audiard, tells the story of a ruthless criminal from a Mexican drug cartel who retires from crime and decides to undergo reexamination. vaginoplasty Aiming to live as a woman, she invests in charities that help victims of drug violence. Critics have argued that the titular Perez does not face serious legal repercussions for her outrageous crimes at any point in the film, but is portrayed as somehow redeemed by her decision to live as a woman. It is pointed out that
The film won four Golden Globe Awards on Sunday, including best musical or comedy, infuriating fans of the global blockbuster. evil. Taking to the stage to celebrate the victory, the film's star, transgender actor Carla Sofia Gascon, declared the victory a declaration of “freedom” and support for LGBTQI+ identities.
“You may put us in jail. You may beat us, but you can never take away our soul, our existence, our identity.” Gascón said. “I am who I am, not who you want me to be.”
The award sparked a wave of criticism from Mexican viewers, most of which had nothing to do with the film's transgender themes. many noticed Adriana Paz, the film's only Mexican star, reportedly sat far away from the rest of the cast and crew during the awards ceremony. However, many others focused on the film itself.
“A French musical about corruption, violence, and disappearances in Mexico. The central plot is about a drug dealer undergoing a sex change who magically becomes a good person after undergoing surgery.” lamented the comments on social media. , according to Argentine news outlets. infobae.
Infobae quoted another critic who lamented: “Emilia” Perez It's a terrible movie made with disinformation and Google Translate. ”
“An attack. Frivolous. The award will be given but the victim will be denied,” said another.
writing in mexican outlet El Sol de Tijuana On Monday, commentator Gerardo Fragoso M. condemned The film says it uses LBTIQ+ issues to “romanticize” human rights atrocities committed by Mexican drug traffickers.
“The movie is Emilia Perez “This is a panegyric that attempts to whitewash, glamorize and present drug traffickers as 'good guys,'” he wrote. “This is not a film that aims to legitimize the LGBTQI+ community. It's just an excuse and a topic used as a Trojan horse.”
The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation (GLAAD) did the same. Panned Emilia Perez In November, it was accused of presenting a “grossly regressive depiction of trans women” and a “step backwards in trans representation.”
“Although Emilia is very 'remorseful' about their crimes, it is important to note that she is never remorseful throughout the film.” [Emilia] “I want you to turn yourself in and be tried and pay for your atrocities,” he continued, “for murderers, corrupting minors, selling drugs, causing people to be killed, and other acts. Her form of 'compensation' uses her foundation to help victims. How easy and convenient.”
Fragoso concluded by accusing the entertainment industry of being “active in covering up organized crime, whose members are willing to accept obscene amounts of money from them to pay for their Beverly Hills mansions and trips to paradise.”
Movie reviews published in Monday's Spanish newspapers El Pais referred to For the film's refusal to discuss the horrors of drug trafficking in Mexico as “truly unforgivable.”
“in Emilia Perezeverything is superficial. “A huge leap of faith is required of the audience as they watch in shock as a violent drug trafficker is transformed, thanks to his new gender, into a brave activist supporting the disappeared,” the review said.
Following the film's success at the Golden Globes, Mexican critics on social media began sending meme messages to the Academy this week, ahead of the Academy Awards, asking the film not to win. . The message describes the film as a “racist, Eurocentric mockery” of Latin Americans, and critics say the film ignores the huge loss of life caused by Mexico's drug war. It refers to losses.
According to the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR), Mexico experienced There were 431,000 murders between 2006, when Mexico officially declared war on cartels, and August 2024. A further 116,386 people were killed. appear He is listed on Mexico's missing persons registry as of August. Although not all of these cases have been confirmed to be linked to cartels, many are, and the confirmed cases may represent a fraction of the true cost of the drug war.
Emilia Perez has been under fire for months from Hispanic viewers over American pop star and Mexican actress Selena Gomez's poor Spanish. Gomez received a wave of intense criticism after legendary Mexican comedian Eugenio Derbez publicly commented that her Spanish was “indefensible.”
“i was there [watching the movie] With people and every scene [with her in it]we looked at each other and said, “Wow, what is this? ’,” he said. said.
gomez I apologized “I did the best I could with the time I was given,” he wrote on social media.
“It's not like all the effort and heart I put into this film was wasted,” she added.
Gomez has since Confirmed Despite her embarrassment, she will continue to work on Spanish projects Emilia Perez.
