Who is rising star Adriana Paz?
The Mexican actress plays Epifania in the most acclaimed film on the Croisette to date.
Of Mexican origin, Adriana Paz has appeared, to date, in more than 30 films under the direction of prestigious directors such as Carlos Carrera, Carlos Cuarón, Sam Mendes and Jorge Michel Grau, among others. She now shines in her latest project, Emilia Pérez directed by Jacques Audiard . Present at the Cannes Film Festival , the actress revealed to L'OFFICIEL some exclusives about her character and her work with the film team...
L'OFFICIEL: Can you tell us about your career, how did you get into cinema?
Adriana Paz: I studied drama and literature at the National University of Mexico (UNAM). From the beginning I enjoyed acting in plays, but right after finishing my studies I moved to Spain. I didn't know anyone in the industry and it took me a while to land a role in a play. I participated in a promotional tour in Spain as a dancer and I had a few castings for films, without success. After two years, I decided to put my dream in Spain on hold and return home. Looking back, it was the best decision I made in my career, because two months after joining, I got my first role in an independent film called All the Kisses . Soon after, I started acting in many short films at the CCC film school, and later got my first big film role, my beloved Toñita in the first film of Carlos Cuaron, Rudo y Cursi , which earned me my first Ariel nomination as Best Supporting Actress, and then the opportunity to work alongside Gael García, Diego Luna and Dolores Heredia and be produced by the three “compadres alegres”, Guillermo del Toro, Alejandro G. Iñárritu and Alfonso Cuarón. A few years later, Jorge Pérez Solano gave me the opportunity to play the lead role in La Tirisia , a film that earned me my first Ariel as best actress, which changed my vision of the stories I wanted tell in my career and which opened the doors to Spanish cinema and television for me. I am very proud of the results obtained so far!
LO: Tell us about your experience on the film Emilia Pérez …
AP: Emilia Pérez was one of the most remarkable experiences I have ever had. I love my job as an actress and I also love singing and musicals, so having the opportunity to combine the two under the direction of Jacques Audiard, with this incredible cast, and in Paris! That has no price ! From the first time I met him, I saw a very energetic man, he arrived on a bicycle, he watches you. He is a very friendly and loving director, creative, open to your opinion, constantly changing and requires you to be flexible and quick enough to grasp what he wants. And working with Karla, Zoe, Selena , Edgar and the great team we had, made it so much easier. I have always appreciated having kind, collaborative and funny colleagues.
LO: What is your character’s place in the film?
AP: My character and Emilia will cross paths in unexpected ways, and both will enrich each other's lives in ways neither of them could have ever imagined.
LO: What do you like in Jacques Audiard's filmography?
AP: What I like in his cinema is that it is fresh, natural, alive, intense, passionate, naked, and it seems to me that in each of his films, we have the impression of not seeing the same director, because I find his films very different from each other, but with many elements in common: love, commitment, the opportunity to follow your pulse and dare to make a change and, in doing so, to find a new version of yourself. This has really touched me since the first time I saw his films, and Emilia Pérez will be no exception.
LO: Can you tell us more about the film you are defending at Cannes today?
EP: I think Emilia Pérez is not a typical film, starting with the risks involved in talking about sensitive subjects. It’s unlike any other musical. I really don't know if we can classify this film, it is authentic, funny, dramatic, exciting, with beautiful songs and music, with lots of colors. I don't like to have expectations, but I would like the audience to be able to enjoy the film and feel touched by our work.
LO: Are you proud to represent this film at the Cannes Film Festival?
AP: As an actress, I think there is no bigger dream than walking that red carpet. I am very proud to be here with our film. This means that all the effort, refusals and sacrifices have been worth it. And representing Mexico makes it even more special.
Emilia Pérez (2024) by Jacques Audiard, with Selena Gomez and Zoe Saldaña, in theaters on August 28, 2024.