Emilia Perez might be the strongest awards season contender that you haven’t heard of. Jacques Audiard’s musical dark comedy was a powerhouse at Cannes where it competed for the Palme d’Or, and while it didn’t win, it did take home the Jury Prize and its female ensemble shared Best Actress. And now the first trailers are here.
Two versions of the trailer have been released, a French version and a subtitled version that star Zoe Saldana debuted on social media. She’s joined in the cast by Selena Gomez, Karla Sofia Gascón, Adriana Paz, Édgar Ramirez, and Mark Ivanir. French singer Camille provided original music, as well.
SYNOPSIS: Overqualified and overexploited, Rita uses her talents as a lawyer in the service of a large firm more inclined to launder criminals than to serve justice. But an unexpected exit door opens to her, helping the cartel leader Manitas to get out of business and carry out the plan he has been secretly refining for years: finally becoming the woman he always dreamed of being.
Audiard is an accomplished filmmaker with a list of critical favorites a mile long including Rust & Bone, Paris 13th District, A Prophet, The Sisters Brothers, and Dheepan.
Netflix plans to release Emilia Perez on November 13th, with a likely theatrical component as well.