The film “Emilia Perez” helped Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana “feel” and “reunite”

Hannah Rantala

LONDON, Oct 11 (Reuters) –Superstars Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldana say making the genre-bending film Emilia Perez allowed them to explore their emotions and talents.

Directed by French auteur Jacques Audiard, Emilia Perez combines the diverse genres of musical, crime and comedy to tell the story of a Mexican cartel leader, played by Carla Sofia Gascon, who transitions from man to woman and opens a non-profit specialized organization. find the bodies of missing people.

Gascón, a transgender actress, portrays both the male and female identities of Emilia Perez. Saldana takes on the role of a lawyer helping Perez through her transition, while Gomez portrays the mother of Perez’s children.

Texas native Gomez called the project “a gift of patience and courage.”

“I should be happy in my life. I have to be passionate. I should be upset when my time comes to feel disappointed. It allowed me to feel,” she said at the film’s premiere at the London Film Festival on Friday.

“Emilia Perez” is presented in melodic Spanish and showcases the singing and dancing abilities of its cast.

“It gave me the opportunity to reconnect with a part of me that I said goodbye to so long ago,” Saldana said.

“When I was introduced to acting, I kind of shed my dance skin, although I was able to use my skills to kind of enhance my career in action films. But I miss it. “I will always be a dancer at heart,” said the “Avatar” and “Guardians of the Galaxy” star.

The film debuted at Cannes in May, where it was a double winner, winning the festival’s jury prize while Saldana, Gascón, Gomez and Adriana Paz shared the best actress award. Oscar Buzz dreamed.

“I’m grateful if it takes me there. It would be a dream come true,” Saldana said, adding, “But I was raised by a woman who always made me proud of other women. I will be rooting for the other woman in my category, and if I make it into those categories at all, I will be just as happy and just as proud.”

Emilia Perez streams on Netflix starting November 13th.

Reporting by Hannah Rantala; Editing by Sandra Mahler