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NoneUtah Hockey Club just passed the quarter mark of the NHL season. And the up-and-down start to the franchise’s inaugural campaign has left fans with plenty of questions. Well, you asked and we answered. What are the plans on getting Kolyachonok back into the rotation? When asked about this, head coach André Tourigny pointed to the fact that another defenseman would have to “lose their job” for Vladislav Kolyachonok to enter the lineup. In other words, a player in Utah’s D-corps’ performance would have to noticeably drop for Kolyachonok to be a viable replacement. Tourigny has seemed pleased with how the backend and its pairings have settled since the injuries of Sean Durzi and John Marino , as well as the addition of Olli Määttä . That said, Utah continues to face injury challenges on its blue line. Robert Bortuzzo — while he played Friday against the Edmonton Oilers — was previously listed as day to day after leaving Tuesday’s game in Montreal with a lower-body injury. Maveric Lamoureux — who has been on the second pair with Ian Cole — is now out four to six weeks with an upper-body injury. That could really open things up for Kolyachonok. In my view, if Utah wants Kolyachonok to be part of its defensive future, he needs consistent playing time to figure it out; he’s only played 13 games this year. That’s been hard with Lamoureux coming up from the AHL and filling the gap as well as he had. But, in short, it feels like both a numbers game and a belief that other defensemen bring more to the game than Kolyachonok. For us relatively new hockey fans, how do young teams/rebuilds usually go in the NHL? Is this team-building plan common? What are common things to watch for as good indicators on young players? The unfortunate thing about NHL rebuilds for fans is it takes a while; I would say five to seven years. Especially for a Utah franchise (previously the Arizona Coyotes) that stripped the team down to its bearings when g eneral manager Bill Armstrong was hired in September 2020, patience is key in waiting for the new pieces and planning to start producing. Rebuilds are common in the NHL, especially with the salary cap and the reality of big-name players exiting the peaks of their careers. Rebuilds see teams’ previous top players get traded in exchange for draft picks or younger prospects – it’s a commitment, to say the least. (Rick Egan | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club General Manager Bill Armstrong answers questions during media day at the Delta Center, on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2024. In terms of things to watch for as good indicators on young players, I think you are seeing a lot of that in Utah this season. While the whole team may not be having success on a nightly basis, the confidence and consistent production from players like Dylan Guenther , Jack McBain and Logan Cooley are important. Those guys will be core pieces of Utah when it becomes a contender, so the earlier they get going, the better. I’ll also add that a separate positive indicator is the caliber of player Armstrong was able to bring in over the summer. Having two-time Stanley Cup champion Mikhail Sergachev lead your backend with his experience and skill has been an intangible asset for Utah this season and has shifted the winning culture within the locker room. That’s another step in the rebuild. Do you feel like this team has what it takes to push for a playoff spot this season? With how the team is playing at the quarter-mark of the season, no I do not see Utah earning a playoff positioning this season. While the team is only four points out of the second wild card spot in the Western Conference, the lack of consistency and killer instinct thus far does not bode well for postseason success. Utah has yet to win consecutive games since the first week of the season and its more veteran forwards — who led the team in scoring last season — have not been able to come up clutch for the group when needed. Utah is still learning how to close out games, protect and extend leads and capitalize on special teams when needed. They’ve had specific players hit hot streaks, but Utah needs the whole team going to really turn a corner this year, which it hasn’t had yet. And that’s OK, it is expected in the fourth year of a rebuild. If, however, Utah can string some wins together at the right time and get the reinforcements of Durzi and Marino coming back from injury, it could miraculously back itself into a wildcard spot. I’m just not confident about it. But hey, I hope I’m wrong. What changes would you make to the team if you were head coach for a day? If this question were asked a week ago, I would say put McBain, Cooley and Guenther back together on the second line. But Tourigny did that — it has worked in Utah’s favor. Other than that, I would like to see Liam O’Brien get in the forward rotation a bit more often. Michael Carcone seems to have secured the fourth-line wing position as the team wants him to get his offense going, but I think Utah needs the passion, spark and physicality that O’Brien brings on some nights (not all). Utah has the fifth-least hits in the NHL this season with 366. San Jose Sharks right wing Givani Smith (54) fights against Utah Hockey Club center Liam O'Brien, left, during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Monday, Oct 28, 2024, in Salt Lake City. (AP Photo/Melissa Majchrzak) Perhaps harsh, but I’d also take Nick Schmaltz off the first power play unit. He has 17 assists, which is a positive and helps move the puck around well on that unit, but he’s not scoring and, in hand, he does not look confident. I understand the team wanting to put him in positions to score, but his looks as of late on the man advantage have not been dangerous. I’d swap him with Matias Maccelli, or put Barrett Hayton back at the net-front and swing Cooley over to the wing. Who do you think has performed best on the team so far this season? McBain has been Utah’s unsung hero. He is on pace to have a career year in terms of points and has 11 (eight goals, three assists) through 23 games this season. Tourigny said it last week, McBain has been one of Utah’s most consistent forwards no matter what role he is playing. The 24-year-old spent a few weeks on the fourth line with Carcone and Kevin Stenlund before moving back to the second line with Cooley and Guenther, but did not change his intensity nor intention. It is not just the offense that has impressed. McBain still takes pride in his defensive game, is strong on the penalty kill and leads the team with 63 hits. Overall, though, Sergachev has been the most valuable player for this Utah team in my eyes. He plays in all situations — while averaging 25:43 of ice time a night — and brings a certain steadiness and swagger to the lineup. The defenseman has 15 points (six goals, nine assists) and is not afraid to get in scrums, stick up for his teammates and gut out extra shifts when Utah is down a player. His skill is obvious, but the amount Sergachev simply cares and the accountability he brings to the team has added to his performance. Utah Hockey Club's Jack McBain (22) returns to the bench after scoring during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Pittsburgh Penguins, Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar) What is the average number of UHC fans you have seen at road games? Are they noticeable in the arena at all? What is your favorite thing about Utah so far and the most surprising (good or bad)? I’ve seen a few Utah Hockey Club fans at road games — especially in Las Vegas — but not enough to hear during a game. They’re definitely at warmups and I imagine that will continue to build as the fan base does in the coming years. My favorite thing about Utah, without a doubt, has been covering the team, getting to chronicle the inaugural season and connecting with all of you. Aside from hockey, I’ve loved living around the mountains, going on hikes, trying new restaurants, meeting new people and getting a new life experience that isn’t the East Coast. The most surprising thing might be how you have to drive to get everywhere. I guess I knew that coming in, but as a New Yorker who got their driver license a week before the move, it has been the biggest adjustment. But I’m learning! The GSAA/win discrepancy between the goalies? Simplified, I think Karel Vejmelka has played better than expected and Connor Ingram has played worse than expected this season. Vejmelka — who got his fifth consecutive start on Friday — has been tabbed as Utah’s No. 1 goaltender as of now with Ingram sidelined with an upper-body injury. Tourigny said Thursday that it would be at least another week for Ingram. Perhaps that had been affecting Ingram’s game. Vejmelka, though, has handled the responsibility well with a 2.25 goals against average, .922 SV% and 6.2 goals saved above average. In terms of the discrepancy in wins, I would say it has more to do with Utah’s offensive production in front of each goaltender rather than the goaltender’s actual performance. Utah has been shut out five times this season and Vejmelka has been in net for four of those games. In the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22, Vejmelka made 30 saves and the team still did not win. In the 12 games Vejmelka has played in — both started and came in as relief — Utah has scored a cumulative 23 goals. It is less of a goaltending discrepancy and more of an issue with team offense. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club goaltender Karel Vejmelka (70) blocks a shot on goal during the second period of the game at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. How do the digital ads on the dasherboards work on the away broadcast? There will be all local ads, then usually once per period, they display an ad local to the away market. The digitally enhanced dasherboards (DED) can replace camera-visible ads at away arenas with local sponsorships. Since the stream is on SEG+, even if the team is playing on the road, its advertisers are still able to show up on the boards with the DED technology. Sponsors can purchase space in five “zones” — behind both nets, the offensive, defensive and neutral zones. Teams have 120 ad increments each game spanning around 30 seconds. Local ads to the away markets will show up when Utah’s sponsors aren’t up using the DED technology because those are actually painted on the in-arena dasherboards. What will the jersey look like next year? Team president Chris Armstrong said the plan is to stick to the general look of the Utah jersey this year but to incorporate whatever the new logo ends up being. The team will still sell the inaugural jerseys with “UTAH” across the chest, but once there is an official team name, there will be a partial redesign. Armstrong also said they are taking feedback from both players and fans about specifics of the jerseys that are either liked or disliked and will consider that with the next phase of production. As a new hockey watcher, does Utah HC have the stereotypical “enforcer” and who would it be? Liam O’Brien would be the first to come to mind in terms of an enforcer role, but he has only played three games this season so has not been able to fulfill regularly. O’Brien is known for getting in fights, throwing big hits and being there to keep the opposition in check. Without O’Brien, I think McBain, Robert Bortuzzo and Ian Cole have a real grit and edge to their games, but I would not call them enforcers. What has been going on with Maccelli? He seems to be playing significantly less minutes than last season. Matias Maccelli is not producing at the rate most thought he would to start the season. After averaging 16:14 of ice time and logging 57 points (17 goals, 40 assists) through 82 games last year, Maccelli is now averaging 14:02 of ice time and has nine points (three goals, six assists) through 22 games. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club left wing Matias Maccelli (63) looks to pass the puck during the first period of the game at Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Part of that drop-off comes from the fact that his line as a whole has not been putting up a lot of points apart from Nick Bjugstad who has found some jump recently. Lawson Crouse — who Maccelli historically has strong chemistry with — has five points (four goals, one assist) in 23 games after having the second-most goals on the team last year with 23. Both of the wing players are struggling a bit and have been unable to help each other out. Maccelli’s turnover that led to the Edmonton Oilers’ game-winning goal on Friday at Delta Center cannot bode well for confidence, either. What is going on with Schmaltz? It seems like the scoring drought is starting to affect him mentally. Lots of whiffs on pucks in front of the net. Schmaltz said himself that a lot of it is, in fact, mental. We talked to him after the 1-0 loss to the Boston Bruins on Nov. 22 and he said he — and his teammates — “just need to see one go in.” Going a quarter of the season without a goal for Schmaltz who is usually a top-scorer on the team has evidently taken hits to his confidence; I think that’s where the whiffs and low-quality shots are coming from. Schmaltz has still contributed with a team-leading 17 assists, but as a first-line winger, he simply needs to score. I think once Schmaltz gets his first of the season and can get that initial weight off his shoulders his game will loosen up and he’ll find more scoring regularity. But until then, it continues to be a problem for both him and Utah. How is Sergachev in the locker room and in practice? Is he truly stepping into his role of mentoring our young guys? Sergachev is, without a doubt, one of the biggest leaders on the Utah team. The standard he holds himself to and the way he works for it trickles down throughout the lineup even if he is not the loudest guy in the locker room. Sergachev is not one to make a speech or yell, but he leads by example, holds himself and his teammates accountable and is always hungry for more. I think this quote from Tourigny a few weeks ago sums it up perfectly. (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club defenseman Mikhail Sergachev (98) during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center against the Calgary Flames in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2024. “Sergy is not a loud guy. He’s not a guy that will impose himself. He’s a student of the game, he’s really passionate and he’s a straight shooter. ... He doesn’t hide himself and he doesn’t hide what can make us good. ... His voice carries a lot of weight,” Tourigny said. “He’s not a guy that’s just a passenger, he’s all in.” How is Tij Iginla progressing? Tij Iginla is having himself a season with the Kelowna Rockets in the Western Hockey League. The 18-year-old forward — who was drafted sixth overall by Utah in the 2024 NHL Draft — has 27 points (13 goals, 14 assists) through 19 games thus far while serving as an assistant captain for the team. There are high expectations for Iginla in Utah, especially in terms of the kind of goal-scorer he could mature into, and it seems he has taken that to heart as he increases his production. Iginla is on pace for a 92-point season which is eight points higher than last year. Iginla has also played some games as a center instead of left-wing, a move Utah management will likely be happy about. After losing Conor Geekie in the Sergachev trade, Utah will rely on young prospects like Iginla and 24th overall pick Cole Beaudoin to fill those gaps in the future at the pivot position. Which Utah Hockey Club player do you like the most? No favorites! Best food on each road trip so far? Salt and Smoke in St. Louis might be some of the best barbecue I’ve ever had. I got the pulled pork sandwich with mac and cheese and it did not disappoint. The restaurant has all of its homemade sauces on the table for you to choose from and experiment with, too. No notes. It was great. Tacos El Gordo in Las Vegas was also a standout. I got a quesadilla and a steak taco, both were delicious. Came with all the traditional toppings in freshly-made corn tortillas and guacamole. Lastly, I had to hit a Boston classic with Tatte when I was there — one of my favorite iced lattes and pastries. With Doan doing so well now in the AHL, do you think the call-up happens before the end of the year? I think J osh Doan will see another NHL game before the season ends, but it is hard to say when because there simply is not room in the roster right now. Utah has, luckily, not sustained any injuries to its forward group this season which has resulted in little room for personnel adjustments. The team also has 13 forwards — one more than needed on a nightly basis — which has made O’Brien a healthy scratch for all but three games this year. Doan has posted seven points (four goals, three assists) through 11 games with the Tucson Roadrunners and is doing a lot of things management wanted to see from him when he initially got sent down — play bigger, more important minutes, be in all situations and get his scoring confidence back. Despite those positives, the logistics of a call-up is what makes it complicated. (Bethany Baker | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah Hockey Club right wing Josh Doan (91) shoots during the game between the Utah Hockey Club and the Ottawa Senators at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024. To send any of the current Utah forwards down to the AHL they would need to pass waivers where it is likely another team could pick up the player. There also aren’t many forwards who play nightly that should or would be taken out of the lineup. Even though players like Crouse and Maccelli aren’t producing at the needed rate, they aren’t going to lose their spots to Doan. I, personally, would encourage the mix-up eventually and think that Doan could bring a spark. But staying in the AHL is not hurting his development and he will only be a better Utah Hockey Club player for it. What improvements to the in-arena experience would you like to see? Who is the surprise player this year in terms of output? What is the best pizza so far in SLC? I think the in-arena experience will keep getting better throughout the season and the next few years as the team cements its identity and a Utah brand of hockey. Especially when an official name is picked, I think signature cheers and traditions will be easier to form and feel more natural. And, when more jerseys can be sold, the crowd will feel and look more unified, which always adds to the experience. In terms of immediate improvements, I think the song selections could move away from the more techno/club vibe and more sing-along, old-time favorite choices. Overall, though, the atmosphere at Delta Center has been impressive in the inaugural season — better than a handful of road games I’ve been to. As for the surprise player in terms of output, I’d refer to my answer a few questions up about McBain. I will also throw Michael Kesselring into that group with his 11 points (three goals, eight assists) through 23 games. His ability to rise to the occasion has been big for Utah. Lastly, hate to admit it, but I have not had pizza since moving to Salt Lake City. I’m open to suggestions! (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) Utah fans cheer a goal by the Utah Hockey Club against the Washington Capitals during an NHL hockey game at the Delta Center in Salt Lake City on Monday, Nov. 18, 2024. Do you have a sense for a timeline on a name announcement for next year? The team filed intent-to-use applications in April for all the team names under consideration. The trademark office currently has a 7.5-month timeline to review applications, which would mean Utah could expect to be approved around March. That being said, there has been no new information about when the team would announce which name it is using. My guess is that it waits until the season is over. Has a veteran adopted Maveric Lamoureux yet or is he still living in the hotel? Lamoureux is no longer living in a hotel and is instead living in an apartment. No veteran adopted him, although Välimäki previously offered Lamoureux to live in his basement for $5,000 as a joke. It seems Lamoureux turned that down. Editor’s note • All stats in this story were current as of Nov.30.d777 。

UCF coach Gus Malzahn reportedly resigning to take Florida State OC jobA 7-year-old rivalry between tech leaders Elon Musk and Sam Altman over who should run OpenAI and prevent an artificial intelligence "dictatorship" is now heading to a federal judge as Musk seeks to halt the ChatGPT maker's ongoing shift into a for-profit company. Musk, an early OpenAI investor and board member, sued the artificial intelligence company earlier this year alleging it had betrayed its founding aims as a nonprofit research lab benefiting the public good rather than pursuing profits. Musk has since escalated the dispute, adding new claims and asking for a court order that would stop OpenAI’s plans to convert itself into a for-profit business more fully. The world's richest man, whose companies include Tesla, SpaceX and social media platform X, last year started his own rival AI company, xAI. Musk says it faces unfair competition from OpenAI and its close business partner Microsoft, which has supplied the huge computing resources needed to build AI systems such as ChatGPT. “OpenAI and Microsoft together exploiting Musk’s donations so they can build a for-profit monopoly, one now specifically targeting xAI, is just too much,” says Musk's filing that alleges the companies are violating the terms of Musk’s foundational contributions to the charity. OpenAI is filing a response Friday opposing Musk’s requested order, saying it would cripple OpenAI’s business and mission to the advantage of Musk and his own AI company. A hearing is set for January before U.S. District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers in Oakland. At the heart of the dispute is a 2017 internal power struggle at the fledgling startup that led to Altman becoming OpenAI's CEO. Musk also wanted the job, according to emails revealed as part of the court case, but grew frustrated after two other OpenAI co-founders said he would hold too much power as a major shareholder and chief executive if the startup succeeded in its goal to achieve better-than-human AI known as artificial general intelligence , or AGI. Musk has long voiced concerns about how advanced forms of AI could threaten humanity. “The current structure provides you with a path where you end up with unilateral absolute control over the AGI," said a 2017 email to Musk from co-founders Ilya Sutskever and Greg Brockman. “You stated that you don't want to control the final AGI, but during this negotiation, you've shown to us that absolute control is extremely important to you.” In the same email, titled “Honest Thoughts,” Sutskever and Brockman also voiced concerns about Altman's desire to be CEO and whether he was motivated by “political goals.” Altman eventually succeeded in becoming CEO, and has remained so except for a period last year when he was fired and then reinstated days later after the board that ousted him was replaced. OpenAI published the messages Friday in a blog post meant to show its side of the story, particularly Musk's early support for the idea of making OpenAI a for-profit business so it could raise money for the hardware and computer power that AI needs. It was Musk, through his wealth manager Jared Birchall, who first registered “Open Artificial Technologies Technologies, Inc.”, a public benefit corporation, in September 2017. Then came the “Honest Thoughts” email that Musk described as the “final straw.” “Either go do something on your own or continue with OpenAI as a nonprofit,” Musk wrote back. OpenAI said Musk later proposed merging the startup into Tesla before resigning as the co-chair of OpenAI's board in early 2018. Musk didn't immediately respond to emailed requests for comment sent to his companies Friday. Asked about his frayed relationship with Musk at a New York Times conference last week, Altman said he felt “tremendously sad” but also characterized Musk’s legal fight as one about business competition. “He’s a competitor and we’re doing well,” Altman said. He also said at the conference that he is “not that worried” about the Tesla CEO’s influence with President-elect Donald Trump. OpenAI said Friday that Altman plans to make a $1 million personal donation to Trump’s inauguration fund, joining a number of tech companies and executives who are working to improve their relationships with the incoming administration. —————————— The Associated Press and OpenAI have a licensing and technology agreement allowing OpenAI access to part of the AP’s text archives.

Albanese facing a new mood of pick and kick

Seahawks’ Coby Bryant fined for Marshawn Lynch tribute against CardinalsNorth Carolina interviews Bill Belichick for head coaching job, AP sources say“Emilia Pérez”, la película escrita y dirigida por el francés Jacques Audiard ha provocado reacciones extremas y con mucha razón. Por un lado, están los que la bautizan como un musical “audaz” sobre la historia de un renacimiento o una película “visionaria” llena de actuaciones célebres, hasta un filme que presenta la mirada transexual en el cine. Se alaba sobre todo, que tenga a tres latinas como protagonistas. Y por el otro lado, están los que destacan el detalle más importante que está siendo ignorado: que su problema principal es que a pesar de que su historia se desarrolla en México, con una trama y personajes mexicanos, de mexicana no tiene casi nada. “Emilia Pérez” se estrenó el 18 de mayo de 2024 en la 77a edición del Festival de Cannes y fue seleccionada para competir por la Palma de Oro en su sección de competencia principal. En dicho festival ganó el Premio del Jurado y su elenco femenino ganó colectivamente el premio a Mejor Actriz. Siendo mexicana, estaba intrigada por “Emilia Pérez”, su representación y sus alcances. Al estar ya disponible en la plataforma Netflix eso fue sencillo. Confieso que lo hice por inercia, al leer los titulares de que según algunos críticos —sobre todo estadounidenses anglosajones y españoles— era una obra maestra, pero también lo hice motivada un tanto por la curiosidad de ver qué tanto podía hacer por una narrativa mexicana un realizador francés. La vi antes que se anunciaran las nominaciones a la 82a edición de los Globos de Oro, con las cuales arrasó. Tiene diez nominaciones, entre ellas Mejor Película Musical o Comedia, Mejor Película de Habla no Inglesa, Mejor Actriz en una Mejor Película Musical o Comedia —para Karla Sofía Gazcón—, Mejor Actriz de Reparto —en la que están Zoe Saldaña y Selena Gómez—, Mejor Director y Mejor Guión. “Emilia Pérez” no es la primera vez, ni será la última, que un extranjero cuente su visión, real o imaginada, de lo que es o cree que es México. Esto es algo recurrente, donde parece que la cultura se “eleva” o es “salvada” cuando es vista a través de los ojos de otros. Históricamente, el director ruso Serguéi Eisenstein lo hizo en su filme no terminado, “¡Viva México!” (1930), o el mismo Luis Buñuel en “Los Olvidados” (1950) —que también tuvo críticas y cuya versión original fue censurada y se tuvo que grabar un final alternativo— ya se habían atrevido a presentar su visión de México; en sus casos, también hubo controversia, pero con buenos resultados. Esto porque tanto Eisenstein como Buñuel lo hicieron con conocimiento de causa del México de la época en que vivieron en el país, no en lo que inventaron a la distancia. En sí, de entrada, la trama e historia de “Emilia Pérez” no es para nada mala, todo lo contrario, pero es su tratamiento y la apropiación cultural hecha tan mal. Se centra en la historia de Rita Mora Castro, interpretada por la actriz dominicana Zoé Saldaña, quien un día recibe una oferta inesperada: ayudar a Juan “Manitas” del Monte ( interpretado por la actriz española Karla Sofía Gazcón), un temido jefe de un cártel mexicano a retirarse de su negocio y desaparecer para siempre, convirtiéndose en la mujer que él siempre ha soñado ser haciéndose llamar Emilia Pérez. Si bien, como hombre “Manitas” es un narco verdugo, como mujer Emilia se vuelve la santa patrona y salvadora de los desaparecidos, llegando casi al nivel de una santa, virgen y mártir, con claros rasgos europeos, como las imágenes de todos los santos usadas en el adoctrinamiento. Pero lo que sí es muy extraño es el tratamiento de la historia de “Emilia Pérez” que, pese a desarrollarse en México y con personajes supuestamente mexicanos, no representa bien la cultura y sí presenta una visión equivocada de México y su realidad. Se podrá argumentar que un buen director y un buen actor pueden realizar y actuar lo que se les dé la gana, que es parte del oficio, pero eso aplica a cuando hay un conocimiento de causa y cuidando la autenticidad de la historia. Tampoco es nada nuevo que un español interprete a un personaje mexicano, sobre todo en Hollywood. Por citar un ejemplo, Antonio Banderas lo hizo varias veces, aún cuando hay actores de origen mexicano. Esto en filmes mexicanos también ha pasado, como fue en su momento la actuación del actor español Óscar Jaenada en 2014 en la película semi biográfica sobre “el mimo de México”, Mario Moreno “Cantinflas”. Aunque actoralmente fue una interpretación que se basó en el parecido físico y el actor de alguna manera dio la talla, a la distancia de una década, puedo decir que su origen ocasionó que la representación de un icono mexicano no tuviera ni diera las referencias culturales de Cantinflas por ser un actor español ya que, efectivamente, pese a todo, es apropiación cultural. Como diría el mismo Cantinflas: ahí está el detalle. Es por eso que “Emilia Pérez” no hace nada por México; sólo se apropia de la cultura y de la identidad en tiempos que hablamos y reforzamos que la identidad y la autenticidad de los contenidos es lo más importante, una conversación sobre todo necesaria en Estados Unidos. Sobre todo en Hollywood, donde los latinos seguimos siendo representados desde una visión eurocentrista que niega la raíz de los pueblos originarios con su color de piel más “café”, con los rasgos nativos y, en algunos casos, afrolatinos, esos que han prevalecido a través de los siglos y donde seguimos siendo retratados como un estereotipo. Se habla mucho de la importancia de “verse” en los contenidos, pero no en cómo somos retratados y por quién. Eso también importa y mucho. Decir que esta película es protagonizada por tres actrices latinas no es lo correcto. Gascón es española, Saldaña dominicana y Gómez de raíces mexicanas. Usar los términos en forma intercambiable no es correcto. “Hispano” se refiere a una persona nacida en un país donde se habla español o que tiene ancestros hispanos y “latino” a una persona nacida en Latinoamérica o que tiene ancestros latinoamericano y también hace eco a las raíces de los pueblos originarios de América. Sin embargo, los brasileños no pueden identificarse como “latinos” porque su idioma es el portugués y los españoles son hispanos, pero no latinos. En su contexto más amplio, el término “hispano” sigue dando una representación que no va con la myor parte de la identidad mexicana y latina. Si bien somos mestizos por aquello de la conquista, la identidad real tiene más de los pueblos originarios que de los españoles y aunque nuestros apellidos no sean “nativos”, nuestros rasgos y nuestro origen lo son mayoritariamente dejando a un lado mitos como eso de que en la conquista “le mejoraron la raza” a los pueblos originarios. En el caso de la protagonista de “Emilia Pérez” el origen y aspecto de la actriz, cae en el sistema de castas que en México fue impuesto desde el tiempo de la Conquista para dar dominio al “conquistador”, porque “Emilia” no es lo que llamamos en México una “güera de rancho”: es una “tía” muy europea. Recientemente el que estuvo en el foco de la crítica fue el actor, comediante y director mexicano Eugenio Derbez por criticar el desempeño actoral de la actriz y cantante de origen mexicoestadounidense Selena Gómez , en especial por su acento al hablar español. Su “osadía” le valió incluso perder seguidores en redes sociales. Aunque por un lado, su acento es lo único que puede considerarse auténtico de este filme, es el acento “pocho” de Selena interpretando a Jessi Del Monte, la mujer del “Manitas” y madre de sus hijos, que no es preciso en ese contexto. Jessi es como Selena, nacida y criada en Estados Unidos, pero aún así, su interpretación no es natural. Suena tan falso como forzado. Entonces ¿cuáles son los “peros” que se le ponen a Emilia Pérez? Empezaré por lo básico: sus diálogos en un español para nada mexicano. ¿Quién los tradujo? ¿Acaso la inteligencia artificial o Google translate? No tiene nada de malo usar las herramientas de traducción, agilizan el trabajo. Pero lo que se pasó por alto fue la edición de alguien que hablara el español mexicano, con sus propias palabras y diálogos. Seguimos con el casting. Si bien se aplaude la actuación de Carla Sofía Gascón, al ser ella española no da la mexicanidad necesaria del personaje. En las escenas de “Emilia Pérez”, a Gascón a la hora de hablar se le escapa el seseo, que es la característica fonético-fonológica propia de España y que no se calcó en México durante los años que fue colonia. También está el acento de Zoé Saldaña que, aunque su personaje aclara en una escena que es originaria de República Dominicana y se mudó a Veracruz siendo niña, ya en la edad adulta y madura en la que se encuentra hubiera perdido el acento. También el acento de Selena Gómez. En el caso del idioma, si bien el español no es igual, varía del país y región en el que se habla. Lo que hablamos y la manera en la que cada país lo habla se le denomina de manera un tanto despectiva, “dialecto”, pero refleja una cultura, una historia, un modo de vida. El español que se habla en “Emilia Pérez” no llega ni al supuesto español neutro. Y no olvidemos que por ser una historia supuestamente mexicana, debería notarse que en “Emilia Pérez” se habla mexicano y no es el caso. A pesar de que es muy importante, lo de los acentos no es lo más grave de “Emilia Pérez”. Lo más peligroso y problemático es su romantización de un México inventado y que maneja temas tan delicados como el narcotráfico y los desaparecidos. Que otros se dediquen a contar nuestras historias sin ni siquiera tomarse el tiempo para estudiarlas y representarlas como se debe, por simple respeto, es demasiado problemático. Si el realizador de “Emilia Pérez” se hubiera dedicado a investigar más sobre el idioma mexicano, los usos, costumbres del país y sobre todo, no abordar tan a la ligera temas que son problemáticos para México, otro gallo le cantaría. Y traer a tema a “Emilia Pérez” en Estados Unidos, importa y mucho. Los mexicanos somos la mayoría del tan llamado “mercado hispano” ya que somos más de 37 millones de los 50 que integran ese mercado, según las cifras del Pew Center . Por lo tanto, el mercado es más latino. Sin embargo, aunque a Estados Unidos y Hollywood les encanta nuestra cultura y no se diga nuestra comida, parece que no les gusta cuando nuestras historias y nuestras tradiciones son presentadas o representadas por nosotros. En sí, les gusta México, pero no que venga con mexicanos. Posiblemente “Emilia Pérez” gane más premios, pero a costa de la apropiación cultural y de representar una vez más, mal a México y a la identidad mexicana. Debemos aprender de la diferencia de nuestras culturas, esas que nos hacen quienes somos y aprender del otro, no querer imponernos. Somos capaces de contar nuestras historias, con todos sus matices e identidades y la historia de “Emilia Pérez” no es mexicana ni latina ni las representa, aunque tenga de protagonistas a una española y dos latinas.