Emilia Pérez, with its impressive 13 Oscar nominations, faces a significant challenge. Controversy surrounding lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón and her past social media posts has cast a shadow over the film’s chances, raising questions about its potential for victory.
The Controversy and Netflix’s Response
Gascón’s old racist and Islamophobic comments on X (formerly Twitter) resurfaced, creating a public relations crisis. Ted Sarandos, the CEO of Netflix, which is streaming the movie, recently addressed the situation indirectly. At an American Film Institute event, his seating arrangement, away from the Emilia Pérez cast, sparked speculation about the controversy’s impact.
“In 40 years in this business, I’ve never seen a debacle like Emilia Pérez,”
one Hollywood insider commented, highlighting the severity of the situation.
Oscar Chances in Question
According to the insider, Netflix is determined to win the Best Picture Oscar this year. However, the controversy surrounding Gascón is overshadowing these efforts. The insider suggests:
“Emilia Pérez is over for Best Picture … it imploded.”
This statement paints a bleak picture for the film’s chances in the top category.
A Potential Silver Lining
Despite the setback, Emilia Pérez might still win the Best Foreign Film award. This could serve as a way to acknowledge the hard work of the cast and crew without condoning Gascón’s past actions. The insider believes that Academy voters wouldn’t want to penalize the entire team due to one person’s mistakes.
“It’s so sad and horrible for all the people who made that wonderful film,”
the insider expressed, showing sympathy for those involved.
Gascón’s Stance
Despite the controversy and its potential impact on the film’s Oscar prospects, Gascón maintains her position in the race. She insists that she hasn’t committed a “crime” and deserves recognition for her performance.
Saikat Nandy is an entertainment news writer who covers the latest trends and stories from the world of showbiz, has a keen eye for spotting the most interesting and relevant topics, and delivers them to his audience with flair and humor. He is also a freelance blogger, content writer, and website designer who loves to explore new technologies and creative ideas.
