Salma Hayek Talks Trans Acceptance in Her New Holiday Film 'El Sabor de la Navidad'

Superstar actor and producer Salma Hayek is making the holidays merrier this year by producing a new Spanish-language film that intertwines three different Christmas stories, including one about a Mexican mother learning to embrace her trans daughter.

El Sabor de la Navidad, from director Alejandro Lozano, tells three separate stories of Mexican families and friends trying to figure out how to make space for both tradition and progress during the holiday season.

One of the storylines follows a mother (Mónica Dionne) who must learn to accept her trans daughter Penelope when she decides to attend Christmas dinner. Hayek said it was important for her to produce a project that sends a strong message about what she believes.

“We believe in projects that represent the community in the right way, but also makes them think, makes them feel proud of who we are,” the Oscar nominee told Variety.

“Sometimes when it’s a family member, you have to accept first, and then understand,” she added about the trans plot. “But it’s important to go towards that second step so you’re not tolerating a loved one, but totally loving someone.”

“I was trying to present three stories about love,” said Jose Tamez, the writer of the film and Hayek’s producing partner at the company Ventanarosa. “Being a member of the gay community, that was a story that resonated with me. And I thought it could resonate with everyone, regardless of your situation.”

“It’s a movie you can watch with both your transgender best friend and your mother,” Hayek added.