It may have been embraced by the Academy, but just a day after its debut in Mexico, the acclaimed "narco-musical" Emilia Pérez was already drawing sharp rebukes for superficial portrayals of sensitive subjects.

Actress Adriana Paz, the only Mexican in the main cast of 'Emilia Perez,' says in an interview with EFE that if the film wins at the Oscars, “the triumph” would also be for Mexico, where the film has sparked controversy for its portrayal of drug trafficking and the disappearance of people.

French director Jacques Audiard defended and apologized for his film “Emilia Pérez” at its Mexican premiere Wednesday.

Actress Adriana Paz gives a press conference to promote the film "Emilia Perez," in Mexico City, Wednesday, Jan. 15, 2025. (AP Photo/)

Despite its huge international success, including a leading 13 Oscar nominations, "Emilia Perez" faces criticism in Mexico, where the transgender narco-musical has been accused of trivializing

Despite its huge international success, including a leading 13 Oscar nominations, Emilia Perez faces criticism in Mexico, where the

In one notable exception, supporting cast member Adriana Paz, who plays Emilia’s lover, Epifanía, is from Mexico. Paz defended the movie in an interview with IndieWire. “I’ve heard people ...

The screenplay is in Spanish and much of the action takes place in Mexico City ... and the Mexican actor, Adriana Paz, together received the best actress award. Notwithstanding its success ...

Some questioned why a movie set in Mexico was directed by a French filmmaker and did not feature a single Mexican actor in the lead roles. As the controversy grew, Adriana Paz, who plays Emilia’s lover, Epifania, in the film, defended the project during ...

But in Mexico, where a spiral of cartel-related ... singer-actor Selena Gomez and Mexican actor Adriana Paz. Gascon became the first openly trans acting Oscar nominee, in the best actress category ...

and Adriana Paz — shared the best actress prize at Cannes. Gascón was the first trans actress to win. But grumbling about the film’s portrayals of Mexicans and its trans protagonist grew louder around the time it won four Golden Globes, including Best ...

The film co-stars Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez and Adriana Paz ... and of the film's four main actresses, Paz is the only one born in Mexico. The movie has also received backlash for its sanitized ...