Zoe Saldaña explains how Emilia Pérez celebrates Mexican culture

Zoe Saldaña has recently explained how her new movie Emilia Pérez celebrates Mexican culture.

“I’ve been living in Los Angeles for about 20 years. Mexican culture is something that’s dear to my heart. I’ve lots of family still there,” said Zoe during 2024 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, via PEOPLE.

Addressing injustices and corruption in Mexico, the Avatar actress noted, “I believe that's true of all countries in the world, and I still have this great respect and admiration for Mexican culture.”

According to official synopsis, Zoe plays the role of Rita Moro Castro, an undervalued lawyer at a large firm who is hired to help cartel leader Manitas secretly complete a sex change operation to “become the woman he has always dreamt of being as Manitas nears retirement”.

The upcoming movie, directed and written by Jacques Audiard, is described as a musical thriller and features Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, who is trans, as Manitas and Selena Gomez as Manitas’ wife Jessi.

Interestingly, Zoe spoke highly of Audiard’s work on the movie, saying she’s “very grateful” that he “used a lot of creative liberty and freedom” to tell the story.

“He has this story which depicts a number of things that you can find in Mexico and which need to be improved in other countries,” stated the Guardians of the Galaxy actress.

Meanwhile, Zoe added, “He celebrates the culture, which is so beautiful, and so rich, and so artistic.”