Jacques Audiard's 'Emilia Pérez' Wins Big at BAFTAs Amid Controversy
The musical film "Emilia Pérez," directed by renowned French filmmaker Jacques Audiard, emerged victorious at the BAFTAs this Sunday, clinching the award for Best Film Not in the English Language. The film, which stars Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, outperformed a competitive lineup that included Walter Salles' "I'm Still Here" and other notable nominees like "Kneecap," "The Seed of the Sacred Fig," and "All We Imagine as Light."
Characterized as a narcomusical, "Emilia Pérez" tells the poignant story of Manitas, a Mexican drug dealer who attempts to leave his life of crime behind to embrace a new identity as Emilia Pérez, a transgender woman portrayed by Gascón.
The film stood out at the 78th edition of the British film awards, securing a total of 11 nominations, including major categories like Best Film, Best Director, Best Actress, and Best Supporting Actress. The BAFTAs play a critical role in shaping the Oscars landscape, and the film's accolades come amid controversy surrounding Gascón's past social media activity that raised concerns about racism.
Gascón, 52, from Alcobendas, Madrid, did not attend the BAFTA ceremony, paralleling her absence at the Goya Awards in Spain. She had previously been removed from the film's promotional activities and chose to remain silent to protect the film's integrity, stating her intention to let the work speak for itself. Audiard, in a heartfelt moment, accepted the award while delivering his speech in French, expressing gratitude to the entire cast, including a virtual embrace for Gascón from the Royal Festival Hall stage.
The filmmaker had earlier criticized Gascón’s social media activity, referring to her tweets as "inexcusable" and mentioning that she had entered a self-destructive phase.
In other noteworthy highlights of the evening, Zoe Saldaña, the American actress of Dominican descent, took home the BAFTA for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in "Emilia Pérez," defeating her co-star Selena Gómez and a roster of strong contenders that included renowned actresses like Ariana Grande, Isabella Rossellini, Felicity Jones, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
As the awards season unfolds, both Audiard and Gascón's journeys remain to be closely monitored as "Emilia Pérez" continues to attract attention and scrutiny alike.
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