TORONTO — Karla Sofía Gascón has gained international attention due to her role in “Emilia Pérez,” where she portrays a Mexican drug lord who undergoes gender affirmation surgery to become a woman. This outstanding performance has positioned her as a potential candidate to become the first openly transgender actor nominated for an Oscar. Yet today, she finds herself in a reflective mood.
“I woke up with such a philosophical streak,” Gascón shares, smiling warmly. “In life, everything can take on dual meanings; we are a blend of many experiences. There are elements that bring joy as well as those that evoke sadness, and sometimes it’s the opposite.”
The exploration of life’s contrasts is a fitting theme for Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez,” a film that artfully intertwines various genres — musical, crime thriller, and melodrama — managing to create an unforgettable cinematic experience. Released on Netflix, “Emilia Pérez” is generating strong buzz and is anticipated to be a contender for best picture nominations.
Centrally featured in “Emilia Pérez,” which debuted to widespread acclaim at the Cannes Film Festival, is Gascón, who skillfully inhabits the roles of both the intimidating cartel leader Manitas and the woman reborn as Emilia Pérez after Manitas stages his own death. In the storyline, years later, Emilia seeks out the lawyer who helped with her transition (played by Zoe Saldaña) to reconnect with her wife (portrayed by Selena Gomez) and their children.
The film’s broad emotional range, likened to both “Sicario” and “Mrs. Doubtfire,” is largely credited to Gascón’s multifaceted performance. At Cannes, she was honored with a best actress award, a moment she received with gratitude.
“We have faced insults, discrimination, and violence without ever fully understanding the reason behind it,” Gascón expressed at the awards ceremony. “I believe this recognition is far deeper than one could comprehend.”
Currently, Gascón is favored to secure a nomination for best actress at the Academy Awards, marking a powerful moment for transgender representation in film as historically, only cisgender actors have been nominated for portraying trans characters. When she sat down for an interview just prior to the premiere of “Emilia Pérez” at the Toronto International Film Festival in September, she preferred to reflect on potential futures in a soft-spoken manner.
“I’m a bit like Nostradamus; I like to ponder what could happen. Regardless, the outcome doesn’t matter that much,” Gascón muses. “If it occurs, I would be immensely thankful. It would be a beautiful achievement. However, if not, I’ll return to my previous routine. I’ll continue grocery shopping, spend time with my cats, and cherish moments with my family. Maybe I’ll pursue different projects which people will enjoy.”
“I prefer to approach life with a light heart,” she adds, beaming.
At 52 years old, Gascón hails from Spain but resides in Mexico. Although she conversed through an interpreter, she comprehended enough English to occasionally giggle and nod at her comments during translation. Before her transition in 2018, she frequently appeared in Mexican soap operas.
“Individuals who feel their bodies don’t represent their true selves experience various forms of suffering. In my case, I believe I managed it quite well,” Gascón states. “I consistently aimed to find happiness in the life I led, even prior to my transition. Perhaps I chose a career in acting because I was not fully content with my previous existence, prompting me to explore different life experiences.”
Assuming the role of Emilia Pérez required Gascón to undertake significant changes. She adapted her voice (utilizing a Mexican accent in the film), honed her singing abilities, adjusted her movements, and shifted her posture. Nevertheless, she also found aspects of herself echoed in her character. Gascón shares a close bond with her 13-year-old daughter from her marriage prior to transitioning.
“Accepting the loss of loved ones is a universal struggle. You continuously seek to reunite with those you cherish,” Gascón explains. “This drive to reclaim loved ones is what connects me to my character — the persistence to reconnect with the people we hold dear. It has been a recurring theme throughout my life, even if it sometimes feels unattainable.”
Audiard, noted for portraying stories of transformation in films like “A Prophet” and “Rust and Bone,” initially hesitated to have Gascón play both Manitas and Emilia. To reprise a masculine role posed a challenge for her, but Gascón was adamant. For her, the only characters she is disinterested in playing are uninteresting ones.
“If someone asked me to play Abraham Lincoln tomorrow, I would embrace it. Bring it on! The more distinct the character from my reality, the better,” Gascón asserts.
Gascón expresses amusement over how some viewers remain unaware that she is the one portraying Manitas. She finds humor in the empathy that a film centered around a violent drug lord, typically seen as a villain, can elicit. Despite the heightened attention surrounding her, she seems remarkably serene.
“If given the chance to relive my life, I believe I would choose to experience it in exactly the same way, embracing all its facets,” Gascón reflects. “Experiencing these two ends of the spectrum has been enlightening for me. It would be wonderful if everyone could have such insights. Ultimately, I have come to realize that we are all fundamentally similar.”