If you follow pop culture, you’ve likely heard about the new movie, Emilia Perez. The 2024 film, which is directed by French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, has received critical acclaim and multiple award nominations, particularly in the English- and French-speaking markets. However, the Spanish-English bilingual movie set in Mexico has not had quite the success it expected in Spanish-speaking countries, particularly Mexico itself. This situation underscores just how important it is for filmmakers to consider cultural sensitivity and authenticity when creating content and localizing it for foreign audiences.
Background of Emilia Pérez
Emilia Pérez is a Spanish-language musical that tells the story of a Mexican cartel boss who fakes her own death so she can then transition from male to female. Part of the film’s draw is that it features prominent actors such as Zoë Saldaña and Karla Sofía Gascón, along with pop singer, Selena Gomez. The movie has also garnered critical acclaim, premiering and winning accolades at the 77th Cannes Film Festival in May 2024.
It later went on to take home four Golden Globes, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy and Best Foreign Language Film. Then, at the 97th Academy Awards, held this past March 2, 2025, Emilia Pérez received 13 nominations and secured two Oscars: Best Supporting Actress for Saldaña and Best Original Song.
Controversies Surrounding the Film
Despite its on-page success, Emilia Pérez has faced significant backlash, particularly from Mexican and Spanish-speaking audiences. Many viewers have voiced concerns about cultural representation and authenticity, including the following three accusations:
Misrepresentation of Mexican Culture
Critics argue that the film perpetuates stereotypes and offers an inauthentic depiction of Mexican culture. The narrative centers around a Mexican drug lord, a trope that many feel reinforces negative stereotypes about Mexico and its people. Mexican cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto described the film as offensive and “completely inauthentic,” highlighting the dissonance between the film’s portrayal and the reality of Mexican culture.
Language Authenticity
The film’s dialogue, primarily in Spanish, has also been criticized for the poor quality of Spanish spoken by non-Mexican actors. Selena Gomez’s Spanish performance, in particular, was panned and the subject of widespread ridicule and viral memes. A similar fate has been suffered by Brazilian actors whose Spanish failed convince Spanish-speaking audiences. Even the main character, portrayed by Spanish-Mexican actress, Karla Sofía Gascón, has been criticized for switching back and forth between a Spanish accent and a Mexican one. These language inconsistencies have been cited as a significant factor contributing to the perception of inauthenticity in the film.
Not surprisingly, English-speaking audiences have not been fazed by the sub-par Spanish-speaking performances. This is likely due to a lack of familiarity with the language and Mexican accent. Meanwhile, the same performances have been deemed “indefensible” by Spanish-speaking critics.
Director’s Cultural Disconnect
Jacques Audiard, a French director who does not speak Spanish or English—the two languages featured in the film—has admitted to not deeply studying Mexican culture before making the film. In an interview, he stated, “No, I didn’t study that much. What I had to understand I already knew a little.” This admission has only added fuel to the flames of criticism regarding the movie’s lack of cultural sensitivity and depth.
Moreover, Audiard has also been quoted in another recent interview saying, “Spanish is a language of modest countries, of developing countries, of the poor and migrants.” These comments have many viewers questioning the bias and prejudices present in his filmmaking. Some are even questioning the suitability of a director who is unfamiliar with both the language and culture of the story he is bringing to life, or at least why he didn’t hire localization experts to ensure a more convincing final product, particularly for Spanish-speaking audiences.
Lessons on Cultural Sensitivity and Authenticity
The Emilia Pérez controversy offers several key lessons for promoting cultural sensitivity and authenticity in filmmaking:
Do Your Research
Accurate and respectful representation requires comprehensive research into the culture being portrayed. Understanding cultural nuances helps avoid the perpetuation of stereotypes and fosters genuine storytelling. Audiard’s admission of his limited cultural study before making Emilia Pérez likely contributed to the inauthenticity perceived by certain audiences.
Favor Authentic Language Use
Language authenticity is crucial, especially when depicting specific cultural settings. Employing actors fluent in the language or providing adequate language training ensures credible performances. The criticism of the actors’ Spanish highlights the pitfalls of neglecting linguistic authenticity.
Involve Cultural Insiders
Collaborating with individuals from the culture being portrayed can provide invaluable insights and enhance authenticity. This collaboration can occur through casting, consulting, or co-directing roles. The backlash against Emilia Pérez suggests that a more inclusive creative process might have mitigated some criticisms.
Engage Professional Localization Services
For films targeting international audiences, professional localization services can adapt content to resonate with different cultural contexts. These services ensure that translations, cultural references, and portrayals align with the target audience’s sensibilities, thereby enhancing the film’s global reception.
How Can the Audiovisual Industry Do Better?
The controversies surrounding Emilia Pérez highlight the critical importance of cultural sensitivity and authenticity in filmmaking. By conducting thorough cultural research, promoting authentic language use, leveraging cultural insiders, and engaging professional localization services, filmmakers can create content that resonates positively across diverse audiences. Such practices not only enrich storytelling but also demonstrate respect for the cultures depicted, ultimately contributing to a film’s global success and acceptance, in all countries and not just the ones doling out awards.
If you’re looking for a localization collaborator for your film or video, make sure to check out the audiovisual services Day Translations has to offer.
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