The French cinematic scene had begun the Cannes 2024 event on a positive note, with films like “The Substance” by Coralie Fargeat and “Emilia Pérez” by Jacques Audiard receiving critical acclaim. “The Substance” was notable for its bold and feminist approach to body horror, while “Emilia Pérez” was a musical drama featuring a global cast, including Zoé Saldana and Selena Gomez. Both films are expected to contribute to the Oscars 2025, with “Emilia Pérez” receiving nominations for Best Film, Best Director, and Best Actress, among others.
The film “Emilia Pérez” tells the story of a lawyer, played by Zoé Saldana, who helps a Mexican cartel chief undergo sex reassignment surgery to become the woman he always dreamed of being. The film’s central actress, Karla Sofia Gascon, is a transgender actress, which added to the film’s potential to be a strong and feminist statement. However, the film’s success has been limited globally, with only 1.3 million additional people watching it outside of France, where it had 1 million entries.
Recently, tweets from Karla Sofia Gascon’s past have resurfaced, containing derogatory comments about Muslims, George Floyd, and the Black Lives Matter movement. She also attacked another actress, Selena Gomez, on Twitter, calling her a “rich rat.” These comments have sparked outrage, and Jacques Audiard has publicly disowned Gascon, stating that her words are “inexcusable” and “deserve to be hated.”
As a result, Gascon has been set aside by producers for the Oscar film campaign, and she has chosen not to speak publicly before the end of the ceremony. This controversy may affect the film’s chances at the Oscars, with voters potentially boycotting “Emilia Pérez” due to Gascon’s offensive comments. At the Critics Choice Awards 2025, the film won only three awards, which may indicate its limited success at the Oscars.
Despite this, Jacques Audiard and Zoé Saldana may still be in the running for their respective awards. However, it is unlikely that Karla Sofia Gascon will win any awards, and her actions may have damaged the film’s overall chances. The outcome of the Oscars will be announced on March 3, and it remains to be seen how the controversy surrounding “Emilia Pérez” will impact the ceremony.