She may have starred in more than 50 films over her 30-year career, but Salma Hayek is relishing a new one-woman spotlight: her face. The actress-turned-director on Sunday premiered her new film, based on the same name, at the Sundance Film Festival. The project – produced by Hayek and other names like Scott Rudin and Jeffrey Katzenberg – has received the Academy Award of Merit. “No movie has ever been this excited,” said one producer.
Hayek plays a gender-reversed Colosseum star in the film about different races, genders and ages competing for a mysterious crown. “When people see the movie, they’re going to have a sense of being empowered and having a story that they can recognize in their lives,” Hayek told the audience at the Sundance Film Festival’s opening night screening.
The movie has received a glowing review from RuPaul, and her character gets a killin’ makeover.
How do I get in touch with @SalmaHayek?, love you!!! Thanks for the laughs, the kisses and yes, even the emojis. #LadyGagaCanBeatYou pic.twitter.com/BrhVjjKPLM — RuPaul (@RuPaul) January 6, 2018
“She is extraordinarily gifted and I am honored to work with her,” Lauren Greenfield, the director, said in a statement.
Another star of the film said how she’s featured in character:
@piersmorgan “What I wear, more important than anything, is power.” Salma Hayek tells Piers Morgan about her new movie, “The Kissing Booth.” pic.twitter.com/5GighNtD8X — Gizmodo (@Gizmodo) April 11, 2018
Hayek is no stranger to using her looks for a powerful message, having featured her mug on “I Love America,” a campaign funded by Republican candidates that promoted their message of “American values.”
Related: Why does Salma Hayek support the GOP so much?
Read the full story on The Cut.
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