So Thankful for You and Emilia Pérez

Welcome, thank you, and a worthy couch rot activity

This scene from It’s a Wonderful Life captures the essence of 2024

Happy day-before-Thanksgiving!

First of all, I wanted to take a hot sec to thank you, subscribers new and old, for showing up and showing out on this here MUTHR, FCKNG Substack. My recent piece for

Oldster Magazine

, about why partaking in culture never gets old, brought some of you here, and I’m totally psyched you’ve decided to check it out. I began MUTHR, FCKD as a repository for all those driblets of ideas about how we, as friends and feminists, experience pop culture and each other, and I’m beyond thrilled you’ve joined me.

The world is a mighty FCK but as long as we have each other we stand a chance, right?

I’m not going to keep you long because there’s Black Friday shopping to warm up for (when you’re Santa, you become sprint champ right quick), but I did have a recommendation for the aftermath when you’re splayed out on the couch, mesmerized by the rise and fall of your elastic waistband.

If you’re on the couch and flipping around, I must insist you give Emilia Pérez a whirl—it’s on Netflix. Hit play, take a piss, and pile up a plate of leftovers—the opening credits unfurl like Angie K’s list of grievances with Meredith on RHOSLC. It’s because a lot of forces for good came together to make this exquisite Spanish-language musical (including Anthony Vaccarello and Saint Laurent for the sick outfits) that is unlike any formulaic nonsensical drivel (with the exceptions of Wicked and A Complete Unknown—more to come about that later!) mass-produced by Hollywood of late.

I don’t want to give too much away but the essence of the plot of Emilia Pérez is sprung once a Mexican drug trafficker has gender reassignment surgery—an important, timely story to be told in that it’s about the power of reinvention and living your truth. With trans rights under attack, the amplification of trans artists and stories couldn’t be more important, and this film—THIS FILM! Beautifully shot and choreographed, with brilliant, moving performances (and some gorgeous singing) from Zoe Saldaña, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón, this rapturously complex film won the Cannes Palme d’Or, and rightfully so—Gascón was the first trans actress to take home the accolade. It’s one of the most unique, moving films I’ve seen in a long time, and I was blown away by its grit, soul, and beauty.

Check it out and let me know what you think. And join me next week for some Shit Talk, as per the ush.

With much love and gratitude,

MF xx