Watch Cameron Diaz’s speech introducing the cast of "Emilia Pérez" at ELLE’s 2024 Women in Hollywood event in Los Angeles.
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00:00It's really actually quite incredible being in this room right now because, you know, it reminds me so much of what I love about making movies is, like, intimacy, you know, like, connection, and being in this room, I know that Nina had said earlier, you know, like, the other sort of award shows that get televised, you know, about gouging each other,
00:29competition, and it's such a breath of fresh air to be in the room where everything is about uplifting and connecting, and it should be televised.
00:42I mean, honestly, if people could see what is done and said and felt in this room, I think that we're kind of holding ourselves in a really confined space.
00:54And this is the kind of conversation, these are the kinds of notions and the thoughts that we need to share with the world to help them understand that women do shape this world.
01:05Women are, in fact, the ones who are going to change it.
01:11And so I just am so grateful to be in this room, even though it was, like, totally last minute.
01:17And I'm terrified of reading off a teleprompter because I have, like, words jump around, but anyhow.
01:25Okay.
01:27So it starts with good evening, everyone.
01:31It is such a thrill and an honor to be here tonight to present this very special award to Zoe Saldana, my sister, Selena Gomez, and Carla Sofia Gascon.
01:47Three obviously incredible women who bring something truly extraordinary to the screen with Emilia Perez.
01:59This film is a powerful exploration of identity, resilience, and the courage it takes to break free from the constraints of societal norms, a patriarchal constraint, I might add.
02:14It is also a deeply human story about love and the journey to find one's authentic self.
02:21What these three actresses have accomplished in Jacques Odiard's Emilia Perez, one of the most audacious and original films that I've seen ever, it is truly remarkable.
02:37We have Zoe Saldana, whose portrayal of the fierce Rita is nothing short of breathtaking.
02:43It's just amazing.
02:45Her voice, come on, guys.
02:51I just heard her singing in the toilet earlier, and I was like, what are we talking about?
02:55Zoe brings such depth to the role, showing us Rita's strength, vulnerability, and relentless spirit.
03:04She effortlessly navigates the character's complexities, capturing a woman who feels invisible and is simultaneously a survivor and a fighter, determined to rewrite her own narrative.
03:17And Zoe's performance anchors this film in a way that is both subtle and powerful.
03:24Selena Gomez plays Jesse, a character who is equally grounded and volatile.
03:37Selena brings so much passion and vulnerability to the screen, making us feel the film's emotional stakes very deeply.
03:46She's a perfect counterbalance to Emilia, offering a challenge when it's most needed, yet never shying away from the tough choices that define the heart of the story.
03:56And Selena's performance is a reminder of the strength that we are all capable of.
04:04And finally, Carla Sophia Gascon, who captures Emilia's essence and brings a captivating intensity to the titular role.
04:17Yes, I said that word.
04:19I'm so proud of myself.
04:21Capturing a complexity that adds layers to the narrative and creates some of the film's most poignant moments.
04:29Her raw energy and commitment to her character create a presence on screen that is impossible to ignore, and together they have created something unforgettable.
04:37They've embodied characters who challenge the status quo, who question their own paths, who ultimately redefine what it means to be free.
04:47They take Emilia Perez, a film that is not just a story, but really an experience.
04:55One that stays with you long after the credits have rolled.