Emilia Pérez manager Jacques Audiard She says casting a trans woman in the lead role of her award-winning film was a simple decision for her.

Audiard, whose film won the Best Actress award shared among female actors at the Cannes Film Festival this summer, gave the role of the mafia turned activist to Spanish trans actress Karla Sofia Gascón. he said Times of London this weekend:

“It makes sense to cast a trans woman to portray a trans woman. The thing about Karla Sofia is that she transitioned at the age of 46 and this affects her performance. What does it mean to not suffer anymore after 46 years of suffering?”

Regarding the possible controversies arising from the subject of the film, Audiard said: “I have a very specific point of view here. As an artist, I am free to have an opinion on everything that is happening in the world and offer my own perspective. My only red line is ‘Don’t hurt anyone’.”

Starring opposite Karla Sofia Gascón, Zoe Saldaña stars as Rita Castro, Emilia’s tough lawyer and advisor. Audiard talked about his mission to make the film, which is part musical, part comedy, part crime drama:

“Ultimately, what I wanted to do was make a movie that would make me cry. “We are living in such dark times that it is important that we give ourselves permission to act collectively and have the opportunity to cry.”

He has directed many films including before. The Beat My Heart Skips, A Prophet, Rust and Bone, Sisters And Paris, 13th Arrondissement.