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In the realm of Oscar contenders, "Emilia Pérez," directed by Jacques Audiard, was once a frontrunner with 13 nominations, breaking records for a non-English film. Starring Zoe Saldana and Selena Gomez, the film secured recognition at prestigious award ceremonies like the Golden Globes and European Film Awards. However, lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón's past came back to haunt her, as old, hateful tweets surfaced, damaging the film's prospects.
Originally, "Emilia Pérez" had a meteoric rise. It won the Jury Prize and the Best Ensemble award during its world premiere at Cannes. Afterward, streaming giant Netflix bought the distribution rights for a reported $8 million. The film's success continued, earning four Golden Globe awards and five European Film Awards. Netflix was on track to win its first Oscar in the Best Film category until the old tweets emerged.
The tweets, posted between 2016 and 2023, contained racist, anti-Muslim, and diversity-hostile remarks. One tweet, for instance, openly criticized the presence of Muslims in Spain. Another accused George Floyd, a man whose death sparked nationwide protests, of being a drug addict and a gangster.
Public outrage ensued, with Gascón being largely excluded from awards ceremonies like the BAFTAs and the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Netflix also distanced itself from her, focusing instead on other cast members. Gascón tried to downplay the controversy, suggesting a smear campaign against her. However, her co-stars, including Zoe Saldana, condemned her language.
Gascón eventually issued an apology, acknowledging that her views had evolved. She also hinted at a conspiracy behind the leak of her old tweets. Despite this, her chances of winning the Best Actress Oscar are now considered slim.
The controversy has also impacted "Emilia Pérez"'s chances in other categories, with films like "The Brutalist" becoming favorites. However, it's still possible that the film could win in categories like Best International Film, Best Makeup, and Best Hairstyling, as well as Best Supporting Actress for Zoe Saldana.
Despite the setbacks, Gascón will attend the Oscars at the Dolby Theatre, having previously skipped awards shows. It's unclear how the audience will react to her, or whether she will walk the red carpet or sit with her co-stars and director.
Sources:[1] The Hollywood Reporter[2] Variety[3] Los Angeles Times
I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to attend the Oscars in 2025 due to the incident involved with my past tweets. Despite Emilia Pérez being nominated for the Oscars in 2025, it seems that my availability for the event might be affected by the controversy surrounding my old social media posts. Incidentally, Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, had been a frontrunner for the Best Film category until the resurfaced tweets damaging the prospects of the film and its lead actress, Karla Sofia Gascón.