Jacques Audiard’s “Emilia Pérez” Triumphs at BAFTA Awards Amid Controversy
Jacques Audiard’s Spanish musical Emilia Pérez emerged victorious in the category of Best Film Not in the English Language at the BAFTA Awards on Sunday night. This achievement comes amidst significant controversy, courtesy of lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón’s controversial tweets.
Audiard’s Gracious Acceptance Speech
In his acceptance speech, Audiard expressed gratitude to all the artists involved in making Emilia Pérez. Despite Gascón’s absence from the ceremony due to her controversial statements and subsequent exclusion from the awards campaign, Audiard sent her a kiss and thanked her directly.
“Above all, I would like to thank all the wonderful artists who brought this film to life and who are here with us tonight,” he said, through an interpreter. “My dear Zoe, my dear Selena, Giorgini, Paul, Juliet, Camille, Clement, Julia and your team, but also you, my dear Karla Sofia, that I kiss. I’m deeply proud of what we achieved together. Long live ‘Emilia Pérez’!”
The Controversy Involving Karla Sofía Gascón
Controversy erupted after Karla Sofía Gascón’s tweets came to light. In these tweets, she had made offensive remarks about Islam, George Floyd, and the diversity push within the Oscars. This backlash led Audiard to sever ties with her, stating that he “hasn’t spoken to her” and describing her as “self-destructive.”
Timing of BAFTA Voting
The BAFTA voting process raises interesting questions. Voting closed last Tuesday, but the process was open since the beginning of January. This means that many viewers could have cast their ballots in favor of Emilia Pérez before the controversy surrounding Gascón escalated.
Zoe Saldaña’s Response
Zoe Saldaña, who won Best Supporting Actress for her role in the film, also included a thank you for Gascón in her acceptance speech, though in a more subtle manner.
“This was a creative challenge of a lifetime. How do you begin to even approach a film that just defies categorization, and you start by taking the lead with Jacques Audiard,” she said. “I want to thank my wonderful cast, Karla, Selena, Adriana… Films are supposed to change hearts and challenge minds. And I hope that ‘Emilia Pérez’ did something like this, please, because voices need to be heard.”
Evaluating the Impact on the Film
The win for Emilia Pérez highlights the film’s quality and its appeal to the BAFTA jury, despite the personal controversy surrounding its lead actress. It underscores the importance of content over individual controversies, although such cases often spark discussions about the responsibilities of artists and the broader implications of their public statements.
Conclusion
Jacques Audiard’s Emilia Pérez stands as a testament to the collaborative effort in filmmaking, where each artist’s contribution is vital. Though controversies can overshadow such achievements, the BAFTA Awards decision reflects a recognition of artistic merit in the international film world.
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