News culture ‘It blew me away’ James Cameron has seen this controversial 2024 film 3 times: he still raves about it
Published on 12/31/2024 at 12:28
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As the end of the year approaches, many directors are looking back on their favorite films of 2024, including James Cameron. During a Terminator retrospective, the Canadian director spoke about a controversial film that he loved so much that he watched it 3 times.
James Cameron has seen this movie 3 times
A reference in terms of production since the 80s, James Cameron recently returned to his experience at the helm of Terminator as part of the podcast Ringer Movies which you can find below. In this interview, Cameron not only shares anecdotes about Terminator and the process of its creation with Gale Anne Hurdthe producer of the film, but also her opinion on today’s cinema, and in particular a 2024 film which particularly attracted her attention.
The film in question? Emilia Pereza French musical drama directed by Jacques Audiard which features Handyman of the Mountaina cartel leader on the run who fakes his death to start a new life as a that Emilia Pérezfounder of an association helping victims of cartels.
“A film that I saw and which blew me away was Emilia Pérez. I saw it three times… It’s unlike any other film ever made. It’s a daring, bold film, a real vision. It’s beautifully executed. It’s pure cinema.”
James Cameron, Ringer Movies
Awarded the Jury Prize and the Best Actress Prize at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, Emilia Perez is a real tidal wave in the world of cinema, garnering no less than 10 nominations for Golden Globes (making it the second most nominated film in the history of this awards ceremony), as well as a selection for the Oscar for best international film at the next Academy Awards ceremony. Many critics consider the film to be an experience not to be missed, and James Cameron is clearly of this opiniongoing so far as to point out that he loved the film so much that he watched it 3 times (at around 40:15 in the video above).
An aesthetic but not very representative film
In Hollywood, Emilia Perez has been at the center of attention since its broadcast at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and even more since it joined the catalog Netflix American. Positive reviews are pouring in, and many celebrities are sharing their impressions about the film. In addition to James Camerondirectors like Dennis Villeneuve (Dune) et Guillermo del Toro (Pinocchio) praise it, and actresses like Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt or even Daisy Ridley took the time to express their admiration for the film.
Opinions are much more mixed in Mexico and within the LGBTQIA+ community. The plot taking place in Mexico, critics who were able to see the film as part of the Festival international du film de Morelia highlighted the lack of research and delicacy in the exploitation of the context, but also the absence of actors of Mexican origin. Regarding the portrayal of Emilia Pérez as a transgender woman, the LGBTQIA+ community considers it retrograde and lacking authenticityrelying largely on notions of body horror who will only speak to cisgender people and not the people the film is supposed to represent.
