How about a genre-defying film like Jacques Audiard’s trans Mexican cartel musical emilia perez Born out of necessity? In this case, it went through a unique adventure development process.
The critically acclaimed Netflix film is loosely inspired by a chapter from Boris Razon’s 2018 novel listenoriginally two separate projects, both written by Audiard and titled emilia perez: an opera libretto that will be performed on stage and a gritty crime film that the director envisions being shot in Mexico.
“It took a lot of time to merge the two projects into one, making emilia perez,” said Paul Guilhaume, the French photographer who shot the film. emilia perez and is considered an Oscar frontrunner for his performance in the film. “I didn’t even know which one I was going to do – both, or one or the other?” Guilholm recalled of his early days after signing on to the project.
The cinematographer and a team of collaborators spent four months scouting locations in Mexico and imagining the film’s visual possibilities—but at the end of the process, O’Dea announced that he would be making adjustments.
“He wanted to make a movie that talked about very serious things, but add some light-hearted elements to the treatment and production process,” recalls Guilholm. “From that point on, okay, let’s forget everything we have now and shoot this movie in the studio. Let’s start with all the location scouting we’ve done.
hollywood reporter I recently sat down with Guilhaume to discuss THR presentsDiscuss creation emilia perezIts completely original visual language blends Audia’s signature “athletic aesthetic” with explosive music video-style choreography, telenovela melodrama, consistently dramatic lighting choices, thoughtful political commentary and simulated gangster car chases in the Mexican desert. As one body.
“It’s weird because we don’t have unique references,” Guilhaume explains. “A lot of times when you make a movie, you say, ‘Well, this is sicario but [with this and that].’That’s not the case here. The music and choreography are so different – we can’t even say it’s a genre of film.
as THRIn his review for the Cannes Film Festival in May, chief film critic David Rooney wrote, emilia perez The debut was well-received: “Some Francophile fans have been hoping that O’Dea would make another film. prophet or rust and boneBut any filmmaker who refuses to repeat himself and instead keeps trying and pushing in new directions should be commended. and emilia perezhe has created something fresh, vibrant and moving that stands aloft in its own quiet soaring power.
Rooney added: “The film looks fantastic – not at all slick, with a slightly rough quality that adds to its appeal. The photography is loose and soft, the moody textures of many of the night scenes very effective, and the vibrant colors The use of is inspiring.
emilia perez Karla Sofía Gascón stars as a feared drug cartel leader who hires a lawyer, played by Zoe Saldaña, to help her disappear and transform into Women’s dreams. Selena Gomez plays the young wife of a drug cartel leader who is unaware of her partner’s transformation and is unknowingly involved.
Guildhome previously filmed Audia’s 2021 black-and-white drama Paris 13th arrondissementas well as music videos by Kanye West and Rosalía. watch THR presents The episode above details how he emilia perez production – and a film title he rewatches every time he starts a new project to remind himself of “visual perfection.”
this version THR presents Sponsored by Netflix.
