Emilia Pérez was recently nominated for 13 Oscars. This is one nomination short of the record number of nominations. Only three films in the history of the Oscars have earned 14 nominations: 2016’s La La Land, 1997’s Titanic and 1950’s All About Eve. Other films that have secured 13 nominations include 1939’s Gone with the Wind, 2001’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and 1994’s Forrest Gump.
However, even with an outpouring of nominations, Emilia Pérez has recently become controversial. From French director Jacques Audiard, the musical follows a transgender Mexican cartel member who wants to retire and live as a woman. The film stars transgender, Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez.
While the film was lauded at The Cannes Film Festival (where it won the Jury Prize), when it was distributed widely on Netflix in November, it gained criticism for its representation. GLAAD has called it “a step backward for trans representation.” The film has also been panned in Mexico. Acclaimed Mexican cinematographer Rodrigo Prieto called the film “completely inauthentic.”
Audiard further angered Mexican film critics by answering, when asked how much he studied Mexico to make the film, “I didn’t study much. I kinda already knew what I had to understand.” Currently, Emilia Pérez has a critic score of 76% on Rotten Tomatoes and an audience score of 30%.
While the film is controversial, many have enjoyed it, possibly because it feels so different and bold. A trans-thriller-musical may seem groundbreaking, but many movies look at similar themes and are must watches for those who loved Emilia Pérez.
Tangerine (2015)
From fellow 2024 Oscar nominee Sean Baker, Tangerine follows two sex workers on a hectic day leading up to one of their singing performances at a local bar. While it isn’t a full musical, it has a beautiful musical number and an interesting tone and pace.
The film stars Kitana Kiki Rodriguez and Mya Taylor. It is both a heartbreaking and funny film that captures the feeling of Christmas in LA. The film was notable for being filmed on three iPhone 5S phones. Trans writer Morgan Collado said of the film in a mixed review for Autostraddle, “Seeing some of my experiences reflected in that film were really important and some of the ways they handle sex work and relationships is real. I appreciated the nuance in the way that they displayed men and their relationships to trans women.” It is available to watch here.
Güeros (2014)
Güeros follows a teenager who moves from Veracruz to Mexico City to live with his brother during the student strikes of 1999. The brothers make it their mission to track down the singer Epigmenio Cruz.
The film is inventive, sweet and funny. Directed by Alonso Ruizpalacios, the film stars Sebastián Aguirre. It won Best First Feature at the Berlin Film Festival. It is available here.
All About My Mother (1999)
Pedro Almodóvar’s All About My Mother is a landmark film in Spanish queer filmmaking. While there are things that are dated in the film, it feels like required viewing for those interested in the history of Trans representation in cinema.
The film is a comedic melodrama that follows a grieving mother, a pregnant nun and a trans sex worker who form a bond between women. The film looks at gender, faith, identity and the AIDS pandemic. It won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film. It stars Cecilia Roth, Marisa Paredes, Candela Peña, Antonia San Juan and Penélope Cruz. It is available to watch here.
Ruido (2022)
Tonally, Ruido (also called Noise) differs greatly from Emilia Pérez. However, if you were drawn to the part of the film where Emilia delves into nonprofit work, Ruido may be interesting to you. Directed by Natalia Beristain, the film follows a woman looking for her missing daughter and connecting with other women whose lives have been destroyed by violence.
It’s a purely heartbreaking film that is a bit of a hidden gem. It stars Julieta Egurrola. The film premiered at San Sebastián International Film Festival before being distributed by Netflix. It was nominated for four Ariel Awards. It is available to stream here.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001)
Hedwig and the Angry Inch is kind of the godmother of trans musicals. The film is a cult dark comedy musical. It is written by, directed by and stars John Cameron Mitchell and is based on Stephen Trask’s 1998 stage musical of the same name. Hedwig follows an East German Pop star on a journey of fame, gender expression and love.
While the movie was groundbreaking in 2001 for its portrayal of a gender-nonconforming character, it has drawn controversy and criticism for prompting fear around gender-affirming care and its use of the cis-gay gaze (The titular Hedwig goes through a botched “gender reassignment surgery” early in the film.) However, many still value the film as queer cinema. It is available here.
Tigers Are Not Afraid (2017)
Tigers Are Not Afraid (also called Vuelven) is a horror-crime fantasy film from Issa López. The film follows a girl whose mother goes missing, leading her to join a gang of street children.
The film isn’t perfect, but it’s a fascinating way of exploring the horrors of cartel violence. The film stars Paola Lara, Juan Ramón López and Ianis Guerrero. It is available here.
Saturday Church (2017)
Saturday Church is a musical that follows a queer youth, his imagined world and the transgender community he finds in New York City. The film is loosely based on the Art & Acceptance program at St Luke in the Fields church.
Directed by Damon Cardasis, the film stars Luka Kain, Margot Bingham, Regina Taylor, Marquis Rodriguez, Michaela Jaé Rodriguez and Indya Moore. The Advocate praised the film for its “mixture of emotional depth and fluid choreography layered throughout the film in its most poignant moments.” It is available to watch here.
I’m No Longer Here (2019)
I’m No Longer Here follows a counter-culture youth who has to leave Monterrey, Mexico, after a misunderstanding with a local cartel for New York City. The film features Cumbia rebajada music and a lot of very cool dance sequences.
The film was directed by Fernando Frías de la Parra and stars Juan Daniel García, Treviño, Yahir Alday and Angelina Chen. It’s a very stylish film that features a non-linear narrative. However, it also has a lot of heart. Find it here.
Paris Is Burning (1990)
Paris is Burning is a documentary about ballroom culture in New York City in the late 1980s. It is a purely authentic look into an extremely culturally significant community. While many great documentaries look at queer and BIPOC spaces, Paris is Burning is among the very best. It captures the ‘80s transgender through dance and performance in a beautifully unique way.
Directed by Jennie Livingston, the film follows Dorian Corey, Pepper LaBeija, Venus Xtravaganza, Octavia St. Laurent, Carmen Xtravaganza, Willi Ninja and Angie Xtravaganza. In 2016, it was selected for preservation by the Library of Congress. It is available here.
I Saw The TV Glow (2024)
Jane Schoenbrun’s psychological horror film I Saw The TV Glow is a strange and stylish film that is a notable Oscar snub of the year. Starring Justice Smith and Jack Haven, the film follows two teenagers who become obsessed with a 1990s TV show called The Pink Opaque.
The film is part of Schoenbrun’s “Screen Trilogy” and the spiritual sequel to 2021’s We’re All Going to the World’s Fair. The film is an allegory for being transgender and has a fantastic aesthetic that feels both new and nostalgic. It is available here.
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