Stories have the power to connect, inspire, and reflect a culture’s soul. When a story attempts to represent a culture that it doesn’t fully understand, the results can be alienating, even harmful. Emilia Pérez is a striking example of how missteps in cultural representation can overshadow even the most ambitious of narratives.
What Is Emilia Pérez?
Emilia Pérez is a musical thriller directed by Jacques Audiard, a filmmaker celebrated for his bold narratives and innovative storytelling. The film tells the story of Emilia Pérez, a notorious Mexican drug lord who decides to fake her own death and undergo a gender transition to escape her criminal past and live life as a woman. With lead performances by Selena Gomez as a savvy lawyer and Karla Sofía Gascón as Emilia, the film explores themes of identity, reinvention, and redemption.
Set against a backdrop of intrigue and crime, Emilia’s transformation is both physical and symbolic as she seeks to reconcile her violent past with her new life while evading those who want her dead. The narrative attempts to blend elements of suspense, identity, and cultural dynamics into a bold storyline. However, its execution has sparked significant debate. While celebrated in some circles for its ambition and performances, it has been heavily criticized for its handling of cultural representation, particularly by those familiar with the culture it depicts (Billboard).
What Went Wrong?
Watching Emilia Pérez felt like witnessing a distorted reflection of a culture. Despite its international acclaim, the film missed the mark in ways that resonate deeply with those who understand the challenges of localization and cultural adaptation.
The story lacked the nuanced understanding necessary to capture the depth and diversity of the culture it sought to represent. The script relied on surface-level tropes, failing to delve into the complex realities and rich history that shape the context of its narrative. For example, the cultural and societal elements central to the plot—such as drug trafficking and disappearances—were portrayed with a sensationalism that trivialized their real-world implications. This lack of depth rendered the story hollow and disconnected from the lived experiences of the people it purported to represent.
Examples of Localization Missteps
Dialogue and Language: The Spanish dialogue was among the most criticized elements. For instance, Selena Gomez’s line, “Hasta me duele la p***** v**** nada más de acordarme de ti” (“Even my f****** p**** hurts just thinking about you”), was seen as clunky and inauthentic. The choice of words failed to align with how sentiments are typically expressed in Mexico, making the lines feel jarring and disconnected.
Filming Locations and Settings: Although the narrative is rooted in Mexican culture, much of the film was shot in Paris, with minimal on-location scenes in Mexico (The Cinemaholic). This decision contributed to a lack of authenticity in portraying Mexican landscapes, traditions, and societal dynamics, further alienating audiences familiar with these cultural touchpoints.
Stereotypical Depictions: The portrayal of Mexican culture leaned heavily on outdated stereotypes. Narcotrafficking, exaggerated violence, and one-dimensional character archetypes overshadowed the nuanced and diverse realities of Mexican society. The absence of local consultants or cultural experts during the writing and production processes likely contributed to this oversimplification (Page Six, Rolling Stone).
The Problem of Authenticity
Perhaps the most glaring issue was the absence of localized expertise in the story development process. The narrative was crafted without deep collaboration with cultural consultants or local experts who could have enriched the plot with authenticity. Localization is about more than just getting the words right—it’s about capturing the soul of a culture, its history, and its emotional context. Without this, the story risks becoming a patchwork of stereotypes and oversimplifications.
This failure extends beyond dialogue. Consider the societal dynamics presented in Emilia Pérez. Cultural adaptation should involve understanding the significance of social norms, values, and traditions. For instance, the film’s portrayal of specific societal issues, such as the role of family structures and community bonds, lacked depth and nuance. Instead, these were overshadowed by exaggerated depictions of violence and melodrama, which alienated viewers familiar with the culture.
Moreover, the lack of involvement of native experts or culturally relevant companies highlights a recurring problem: gentrification in cultural narratives. When creators from outside a culture attempt to reframe its image without a deep understanding, they risk perpetuating stereotypes and diminishing its richness. While the inclusion of diverse stories is appreciated, such efforts should feel like genuine celebrations rather than superficial attempts to capitalize on a culture’s global appeal.
Missed Opportunities in Cultural Adaptation
The challenges faced by Emilia Pérez are not unique to this film. They highlight a broader issue in storytelling: the tendency to prioritize external appeal over internal authenticity. This can lead to critical missteps, especially when creators assume that broad strokes are sufficient to depict a culture.
Authentic representation begins with research and collaboration. Engaging with cultural experts, historians, and community members ensures that stories are rooted in reality rather than stereotypes. For example, Emilia Pérez could have benefited from a deeper exploration of the societal impact of its central themes, including the complex relationships between identity, power, and community within its cultural setting. It also involves recognizing the emotional weight of certain themes and presenting them with sensitivity and depth. A more nuanced portrayal of these themes could have elevated the narrative and forged a stronger connection with its intended audience.
A Call for Better Representation
Audiences are proud of their stories and their voices. They’re proud of their complexities, their struggles, and their triumphs. But these stories need to be told with care, with respect, and with a deep understanding of the culture they come from. When they’re not, they risk becoming hollow, missing the rich texture that makes them real.
Creators who seek to represent a culture must go beyond the surface. They must collaborate with local talent, consult with cultural experts, and invest the time and effort needed to truly understand the stories they are telling. This isn’t just about avoiding criticism; it’s about honoring the culture and its people.
Conclusion
Emilia Pérez could have been a groundbreaking film—a musical thriller with a bold narrative and a unique perspective. Instead, it serves as a reminder of the dangers of cultural misrepresentation and the importance of cultural adaptation.
At Clearly Local, we take localization seriously. Our expertise in translation, localization, and content creation ensures every project is handled with the utmost care. From finding the right local experts to crafting tailored solutions, our mission is to provide cultural authenticity at every step.
For those who see their culture misrepresented, it’s a call to demand better representation, respect, and storytelling. For creators, it’s a challenge to do the work, listen, and ensure that the stories they tell truly honor the people and cultures they represent. Because when they do, the results can be extraordinary. By embracing authenticity and collaboration, creators have the opportunity to craft stories that not only entertain but also resonate deeply with audiences around the world.
