Oscars 2025: Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” will represent France

France has chosen Emilia Perez, the musical comedy by Jacques Audiard, to compete for the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film in 2025. Already awarded at the Cannes Film Festival, the film features a prestigious cast including Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez. The story follows Manitas, leader of a Mexican cartel, who decides to change gender and life, becoming Emilia Pérez. This daring project won over the French commission, made up of 11 professionals, who opted for this film after pre-selection the count of Monte Cristo, Mercy, a All We Imagine as Light.

This choice is all the more scrutinized since last year, the French selection caused controversy by excluding Anatomies of a chute for the benefit of The Passion of Dodin-Bouffant. This controversy had prompted a complete overhaul of the selection committee. Audiard's film, with its mix of comedy and drama, aims to appeal to an international audience with its diverse cast and originality, while offering a unique look at questions of identity and transformation.

The Oscar race is now on, but we will have to wait until January 17, 2025 to find out if Emilia Perez will be selected among the five finalists in the Best Foreign Film category. The film hopes to follow in the footsteps of previous French successes, while bringing a new perspective through its narrative and visual audacity.

Alice Leroy