At the closing and awards ceremony of the Cannes Film Festival on the night of May 25 (local time), Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez, Karla Sofía Gascón and Selena Gomez were named ‘Best Actress’. ‘.
For the first time in the history of the Cannes Film Festival, the “Best Actress” award was awarded simultaneously to four people. The beauties won the award with the work Emilia Perez by French director Jacques Audiard. The film also won the “Special Jury Award” category.
At the awards ceremony, Zoe Saldaña, Édgar Ramírez, and Selena Gomez were all absent due to their personal schedules. Representing the co-stars to receive the award, Spanish transgender actress Karla Sofía Gascón shed tears of emotion. She dedicated her win to “transgender actors who are living in pain”.
Last week, the film Emilia Perez received a 10-minute round of applause after its premiere in Cannes. The film’s four female leads all burst into tears at the reception from experts, the press and the audience. The film is described as a unique and attractive musical-crime film.
In the film, Zoe Saldaña plays a lawyer, Selena Gomez plays the wife of a drug lord, Édgar Ramírez is entangled in a toxic and risky love affair, and Karla Sofía Gascón portrays the character of a drug dealer.
The Hollywood Reporter commented that Selena Gomez has a less central role than the other three female co-stars, but she simultaneously shows the toughness and vulnerability within a woman. Her Mexican accent was criticized, but that did not affect her performance. According to Vulture, Selena Gomez sings less than the audience expected, but she brings the ambiguity needed for the character.
During a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter at Cannes, the 32-year-old singer revealed that she auditioned for the role online. When the director gave her the role, she was nervous but also excited. For her, the movie Emilia Perez is many different from the projects she has participated in. Because of the film’s stature, even though she took on a small role, she still felt honored. The days accompanying the film crew touched her.
Selena Gomez added: “I’ve spent most of my life trying to break stereotypes and perceptions of who I am. Director Jacques, who really didn’t know anything about me, took the opportunity and trust me simply based on what I can do. That’s really special to me. I choose projects according to the filmmaker, according to the content, according to the meaning.”
Award winners at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Golden Palm: Anora
Grand Prize: All We Imagine As Light
Special jury prize: Emilia Pérez
Special mark: Mongrel
Palme d’Or for short film: The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent
Special highlight short film: Bad For A Moment
Honorary Palme d’Or: Meryl Streep, George Lucas, Ghibli Animation Studio
Golden Camera (Outstanding First Film): Armand
Excellent script: Coralie Fargeat – The Substance
Special award for excellent script: Mohammad Rasoulof – The Seed Of The Sacred Fig
Outstanding Director: Miguel Gomes – Grand Tour
Outstanding Actor: Jesse Plemons – Kinds Of Kindness
Outstanding Actress: Adriana Paz, Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, Selena Gomez – Emilia Pérez Short Film Palme d’Or
