As Emilia Pérez clinched the coveted BAFTA for Film Not in the English Language, an unexpected moment of reconciliation stole the spotlight. Director Jacques Audiard, in his acceptance speech, extended an olive branch to his absent leading lady, Karla Sofía Gascón, whose controversial social media history had cast a shadow over the film’s triumphant awards season run.
Gascón, the first out transgender actress to receive both BAFTA and Oscar nods for a leading role, found herself embroiled in a firestorm just weeks prior due to the resurfacing of bigoted posts targeting people of color, Muslims, and increased diversity at the Academy Awards. The fallout was swift and severe, with Netflix swiftly removing Gascón’s image from the film’s promotional materials.
Audiard’s Surprising Shoutout
Amid thanking his cast and crew, Audiard took a moment to directly address his embattled star, stating simply yet powerfully, “I also thank you Karla Sofía, who I kiss.” The poignant acknowledgment marked a significant shift from the director’s previous condemnation of Gascón’s “hateful” and “inexcusable” comments.
It’s very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía, the trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere that we had on the set that was indeed based on trust.
– Jacques Audiard, on his strained relationship with Gascón
The Road to Reconciliation
Gascón’s absence from the BAFTAs, coupled with her recent apology expressing hope that her “silence will allow the film to be appreciated for what it is,” suggests a desire to shift focus back to Emilia Pérez‘s artistic merits. Audiard’s olive branch, while unexpected given his prior frustration with Gascón’s defensive stance, hints at a potential path forward.
- Timeline of the Controversy
- Gascón’s Controversial Comments Resurface
- Netflix Removes Gascón from Promo Materials
- Audiard Initially Condemns Gascón’s Posts
- Gascón Apologizes and Steps Back
- Audiard Extends Olive Branch at BAFTAs
A Triumph Amidst Turmoil
Despite the off-screen drama, Emilia Pérez emerged victorious at the BAFTAs, besting a formidable field that included All We Imagine As Light, I’m Still Here, Kneecap, and The Seed of the Sacred Fig. Audiard’s speech also paid tribute to his fellow nominees, celebrating the power of cinema to “push back boundaries” and “question conventions.”
From Ireland, India, Iran, or Brazil, we all try to talk about the world in our own way, with our own tools and sensibilities.
– Audiard on the universal language of film
Moving Forward
As the dust settles on this tumultuous chapter, all eyes turn to the Oscars, where Emilia Pérez is once again a frontrunner. While Gascón’s attendance remains uncertain, Audiard’s gesture of reconciliation offers a glimmer of hope that the film’s artistic achievements might yet overshadow the controversy that has clouded its journey.
In a season marked by both milestone achievements and sobering reminders of the work still to be done, Emilia Pérez‘s BAFTA triumph and Audiard’s surprising olive branch to Gascón serve as a poignant reminder of the power of art to transcend division and the enduring resilience of the human spirit.
