Adriana Paz | |
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![]() Adriana Paz at the 2024Toronto International Film Festival | |
Born | (1980-01-13)January 13, 1980 (age 45) Mexico City, Mexico |
Alma mater | National Autonomous University of Mexico |
Occupations |
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Years active | 2003–present |
Children | 1 |
Adriana Paz (born January 13, 1980) is a Mexican actress and dancer. She began her artistic career in Spain, shooting commercials and acting in a play. She was recognized for her role as Toña in the Mexican filmRudo y Cursi (2009) with a nomination for theAriel Award for Best Supporting Actress. She garnered critical praise starring as Miranda inLas Horas Muertas (2013), for which she was awarded Best Actress at theMorelia International Film Festival. She subsequently starred in the TV seriesSucedió en Un Día (2010),Capadocia (2010),El Encanto del Aguila (2011),Dios, Inc. (2016), andVis a vis (2018–2019).
Paz is also featured in other films, includingTodos los Besos (2007),Backyard: El Traspatio (2009),Not Forgotten (2009),Un Mexicano Más (2009),El Mar Muerto (2010),4 Maras (2012),Morelos (2012),Elysium (2013),Spectre, andLas Aparicio (2015). For her lead performance in the dramaLa Tirisia (2014), she received theAriel Award for Best Actress and for the filmsHilda (2015) andLa Caridad (2016) she won two consecutive Ariel Awards for Best Supporting Actress. In 2017, her performance inEl Autor earned her a nomination for theGoya Award for Best New Actress. For her role in the filmEmilia Pérez, Paz was recognized with theCannes Film Festival Award for Best Actress in 2024.
Adriana Paz was born in Mexico City in 1980.[1] She wanted to study dramatic literature and theater, but was accepted at the School of Philosophy and Letters of theNational Autonomous University of Mexico.[1][2][3] Upon graduation, Paz relocated to Spain to join the Estudi Dansa Montserrat in Tarragona and the Estudis de Teatre in Barcelona.[1] During her stay in Spain she had to support herself working in a flea market, a kindergarten, and as a tourist guide.[2] Paz also shot two commercials, acted in a play, and toured as a dancer. She took dance classes, attended theater workshops, and learned to speak theCatalan language.[2]
Paz joined the cast of the playCallejón de Lis, written by Joseph Danan and directed by Jean-Frédéric Chevallier, which ran in 2003 at the La Capilla Theater.[4] Her television debut was in the seriesHistorias de Leyenda, broadcast byCanal Once.[1] Her first film role was inTodos los Besos, an independent film directed by César Aliosha in 2008.[5] That same year, Paz shared herhead shots with actor Manuel Teil, who then invited her to thecasting for a film. Later she was invited to the casting sessions forCarlos Cuarón's first feature film.[6] At a callback meeting, Paz met Cuarón andDiego Luna, and the following day Teil told her that she had won the role of Toña, the wife of Beto "Rudo", the character played by Luna.[6][7] The film,Rudo y Cursi (2009), starring Luna andGael García Bernal, is about two soccer players who are half-brothers and become rivals when a talent scout discovers them and asks them to try out for a professional team.[7] Reviewing the film, Pete Hammond ofBackstage magazine, was critical of the film's female roles, explaining that "[Dolores] Heredia and Paz don't have a lot to do but are also fine in a generally top-notch cast".[8] Paz received her first Ariel Award nomination forBest Supporting Actress forRudo y Cursi.[9] The following year, she was featured in the filmBackyard: El Traspatio, directed byCarlos Carrera.[10]
Paz played a supporting role in the filmEl Mar Muerto directed by Ignacio Ortíz in 2009, starring Aída López,Joaquín Cosio, Leticia Gutiérrez, andMario Almada.[11] The film used thehistoric center of Mexico City as its main location, and the plot was about a murder that happens during a blackout.[11] She later appeared inUn Mexicano Más (2010), directed by René Cardona III, based on the book of the same title written by Juan Sánchez Andraka. Of her role in the film, a prostitute named La Chiquis, Paz toldTV Notas: "she [La Chiquis] works with Don Leodegario (Ernesto Gómez Cruz) at his restaurant bar and seeks to find a husband who will take her out of the village, but until that happens she is having a lot of fun with him, the male teachers, and all the men who pass through the village".[12]
In 2010, Paz starred withKristyan Ferrer in the filmLas Horas Muertas, directed by Aarón Fernández; this was the first lead role for the actress.[10] In the film, Sebastián (Ferrer) runs a motel and starts a relationship with a regular client named Miranda (Paz).[13] Jay Weissberg ofVariety stated that it was a "truly breakthrough role" for Paz, since she "enlivens the screen with palpable charm".[14] Weissberg also said that "without the warmth and ironic self-awareness that Paz brings to Miranda, the pic might have been a lesser vehicle, or at least a less absorbing one".[14]Las Horas Muertas was screened during the 2013Morelia International Film Festival, where Paz was named Best Actress.[13] She was unable to attend the festival as she was about to give birth to her son.[15] About the award, the actress stated toEl Sol de México: "I do not like to think about awards, it is better to make things for the pleasure of doing them and, if they arrive [accolades] are appreciated and enjoyed".[16] In 2011, Paz also had a small role inElysium directed byNeill Blomkamp starringMatt Damon, and was also featured in the filmMorelos byAntonio Serrano, about the last days ofJosé María Morelos' military career.[17]
Paz played Cheba, the lead role inLa Tirisia, a film written, produced, and directed by Jorge Pérez Solano (2014).[18] The plot, inspired by a popular termtirisia (which means "a perpetual sadness defined as 'the death of the spirit'"), is set in theMixteca region of Mexico, and centers on two women (Paz and Gabriela Cartol) who were impregnated by Sylvestre (Gustavo Sánchez Parra).[18] When Cheba's estranged husband returns to town, he finds her sunk into a deep depression since she had to give away her newborn (Sylvestre's child).[18] About the film, Paz said toDiario de Xalapa: "It is a very well-written story that required characters with depth; when I read it, it brought me great joy and made me say 'I want to watch this'. The first time I watched it I was shocked; it left a lump in my throat. It is beautiful".[19] The film was not exhibited in commercial movie theaters in Mexico because distribution was too expensive. Instead,La Tirisia was screened at film festivals such as theChicago International Film Festival,Thessaloniki International Film Festival, and the Toulouse Latinoamerican Film Festival, and later had a month-and-a-half stretch at the Mexican art house Cineteca Nacional.[20] Paz commented about it: "It is not very fair. We do not have the same resources that the big production companies have, and we don't have the same possibilities for making films. It is very difficult to produce a project and know that there is not a fair distribution and exhibition of these films".[19]
Paz' performance was praised by Boyd van Hoeij ofThe Hollywood Reporter, who said she was "exceptional as a passionate woman who has needs and desires of her own but who's boxed in by society's rigid expectations for her gender".[21] Jaime López Blanco ofSputnik magazine referred to her acting as "fascinating on that introspection of a mother dead inside, suffering the absence of one of their children".[22] At the57th Ariel Awards, Paz received theBest Actress award for her role in the film.[20] Upon winning, Paz said: "it definitely forces me to not lower the quality of my work... the other part is the joy it generates in me, the support that I am getting fromthe Academy, because it gives me the chance to be known as a good actress. This award speaks for myself and my duty is to continue along that line and go for characters that challenge me more".[19]
In 2015, Paz toldEl Financiero of her wish to do a musical project, since she "loves to sing" and wanted to return to thestage.[23] She appeared in the opening scene of the filmSpectre, along with Mexican actorsTenoch Huerta Mejía,Stephanie Sigman, and British actorDaniel Craig in 2015.[24] In the same year, Paz joined the cast ofHilda, Andrés Clariond's first feature film, which is based on a play written by French authorMarie NDiaye.[25] The film is about a housewife (Verónica Langer) who hires a maid (Paz) and, in the days that follow, develops an obsession with her, preventing her from leaving the house.[26] Clariond cast Paz since he did not want very well known faces and he liked her "personality and strength".[27]
In his review of the film, Luis Fernando Galván ofEn Filme described Hilda's character as "complex and beyond any cliché imposed by the Golden Age of Mexican cinema, where the poor is seen as decent, honest and kind, for example,Nosotros Los Pobres (1947) or thetelenovelas, where the humble and pretty maid is rescued byprince charming from the clutches of her evil patron".[28] Paz said of this role: "If you are a brunette actress with long hair, this is the kind of role that [the producers] usually give you, but fortunately this was very deep. It is difficult because Hilda does not speak, everything surges out of her energy and presence. She is not very funny or mouthy or a thief. Hilda is nothing like that. She is a woman who is making a household with her husband and is a very worthy woman who does not stoop, does not steal, and is not one of those stereotypes".[25] At theAriel Awards of 2016, the film received five nominations, with Paz winning forBest Supporting Actress.[3][25][29][30] Filmed in 2013,Las Aparicio (a film adaptation of theTV series of the same name) was released in 2016, with Paz in a small role.[31] It was met with mixed reviews but Paz was praised by Jesús Chavarría ofCine Premiere for her "brief and effective" performance.[31]
Paz had a guest starring role in the first season of the TV seriesDios, Inc., created by Sergio Sánchez forHBO Latin America.[32][33] The series featured performances byRafael Sánchez Navarro,Luis Arrieta, Rocío Verdejo,Carlos Torres Torrija, Isabel Burr,Dagoberto Gama,Manuel Balbi, andFernando Luján.[33] Paz is featured in the 2016 comedy filmOriginal y Copia, directed by Guillermo Barba, co-starringChristopher Uckermann,Zuria Vega, andJuan Pablo Medina. This is Paz' first comedy. Talking about this role she said: "It is a place where I had not stopped and that was far from easy, it was very complicated, because it is far from my comfort zone. It was complicated but fun, I would make another comedy again";[34] the film was released in Mexico in August 2017 asCasi Una Gran Estafa.[35] Paz and Veronica Langer (her co-star inHilda) re-united for the filmLa Caridad, directed by Marcelino Islas in 2016;[34] Paz won the Best Supporting Actress award at the59th Ariel Awards for the role of Eva inLa Caridad.[36] Paz andTenoch Huerta filmedEl Móvil (released asEl Autor) in Spain, and they star as a couple being spied upon by a writer who uses them as inspiration for a novel.[35] The film premiered in Mexico as part of the Morela International Film Festival in 2017 and for her performance, Paz received a nomination for aGoya Award for Best New Actress.[37] The actress ended 2018 joining the third season of the Spanish TV drama seriesVis a vis.[37]
In 2018, Paz starred inNadie Sabrá Nunca, the first feature film by Jesús Torres Torres.[38] Set during the 70s, the drama is about a housewife dealing withmachismo, "I think it is very interesting how Jesus [the film director] raises these issues. Women have suffered frommachismo, but we are also those who perpetuate it. How it influences younger generations. At that time they had to go against all odds, they didn't even talk about that. I think it is important to identify the role that women have in it, because men also suffer from it, like Rigoberto [played by Jorge A. Jiménez], who has to fulfill that role," Paz said toSector Cine magazine.[38]
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2007 | Todos los Besos | Carmen | [39] | |
2008 | Rudo y Cursi | Toña | [39] | |
2009 | Backyard: El Traspatio | Hilda | [39] | |
2009 | Not Forgotten | Pregnant maid | [39] | |
2009 | Un Mexicano Más | Chiquis | [12] | |
2010 | El Mar Muerto | Julia | [40] | |
2012 | 4 Maras | La Guillo | [40] | |
2012 | Morelos | Simona | [39] | |
2012 | A World for Raúl | Raúl's mother | [39] | |
2013 | Las Horas Muertas | Miranda | [39] | |
2013 | Elysium | — | [17] | |
2014 | La Tirisia | Cheba | [39] | |
2014 | Hilda | Hilda | [39] | |
2015 | Spectre | Mexican Woman in Lift | [39] | |
2015 | Las Aparicio | Adriana | Film adaptation of the TV seriesLas Aparicio | [31] |
2016 | La Caridad | Eva | [40] | |
2016 | La Voz de Un Sueño | Susana | [40] | |
2017 | Casi Una Gran Estafa | Maripaz | [35] | |
2017 | Nadie Sabrá Nunca | Lucía | [40] | |
2017 | El Autor | Irene | [40] | |
2018 | La Boda de Valentina | Independent Candidate | [40] | |
2019 | Tijuana Bible | Ana | [40] | |
2021 | This Is Not a Comedy | Melissa | [40] | |
2022 | Chupa | Julia | [40] | |
2023 | Uno para morir | Teresa | [40] | |
2024 | Emilia Pérez | Epifanía | [40] | |
2024 | Arillo de hombre muerto | Dalia | [40] | |
TBA | Animals † | TBA | Filming | [41] |
TBA | A Mouthful of Ash † | Isabel | Filming | [42] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2010 | Sucedio en Un Día | Teibolera | Segment — "La Historia del Hombre que Nunca fue Consalero" | [40] |
2010 | Capadocia | Ramona | Season 2 Episode — "Bienaventurados los Inocentes" | [43] |
2011 | El Encanto del Aguila | Natividad | Episode — "Los Martires de Puebla" | [17] |
2015 | La rosa de Guadalupe | Mirna / Leonor | Season 8 Episode — "El Niño Chiquito" Episode — "El Segundo Cielo" | |
2016 | Dios, Inc. | María Elena | 4 episodes: "Crucifixión" "Las Catacumbas" "El Santo Grial" "La Grey" | [40] |
2018 | Vis a vis | Altagracia | [37] | |
2020 | Perdida | Angelita | [37] | |
2021 | Coyote | Silvia Peña | [37] | |
2022 | La rebelión | Ivonne | [44] | |
2023 | El colapso | Soledad | Episode — "La Isla" | [37] |
Year | Title | Role | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|
2003 | Callejón de Lis | — | La Capilla | [45] |
2005 | Los Tres Sueños de Rosaura | — | — | [45] |
2010 | Zoot Suit | — | Las Vizcainas | [45] |
Year | Association | Category | Work | Result | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2009 | Ariel Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Rudo y Cursi | Nominated | [46] |
2013 | Morelia International Film Festival | Best Actress in a Feature Length Mexican Film | Las Horas Muertas | Won | [47] |
2015 | Ariel Awards | Best Actress | La Tirisia | Won | [48] |
2016 | Best Supporting Actress | Hilda | Won | [49] | |
Pantalla de Cristal Film Festival | Best Actress - Short Film | Luces Brillantes | Nominated | [50] | |
2017 | Ariel Awards | Best Supporting Actress | La Caridad | Won | [51] |
CEC Awards | Best New Actress | El Autor | Nominated | [52] | |
Goya Awards | Best New Actress | Nominated | [53] | ||
2024 | Cannes Film Festival | Best Actress | Emilia Pérez | Won | [54] |
Mill Valley Film Festival | Outstanding Ensemble Performance | Won | [55] | ||
2025 | Screen Actors Guild Awards | Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture | Nominated | [56] |