"Emilia Pérez" Triumphs at César Awards Amid Controversy Surrounding Star Karla Sofia Gascón

The highly acclaimed musical drama "Emilia Pérez" achieved notable recognition at France's prestigious César Awards, securing the title of best French film of the year. Directed by Jacques Audiard, the film swept the ceremony with a remarkable seven wins, cementing its status as an Oscar contender ahead of this weekend's Academy Awards.

However, the celebrations were tempered by continued criticism and public backlash related to the film’s star, Karla Sofia Gascón. Her past comments on social media generated controversy, particularly remarks against Muslim culture and inflammatory statements regarding George Floyd's tragic death. These past posts, some dating as far back as 2016, resurfaced in January and sparked intense public debate.

Audiard, who has previously expressed strong disapproval of Gascón's remarks, addressed his appreciation for the film’s cast and crew in his acceptance speech. Noting their crucial contributions, he warmly thanked actresses Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofia Gascón, Adriana Paz, and Selena Gomez, emphasizing a collaborative atmosphere as the heart of the project's success.

Karla Sofia Gascón, nominated alongside Zoe Saldaña in the César best actress category, attended the award ceremony in Paris but chose to avoid press interviews, marking a rare public appearance amid the ongoing controversy. Ultimately, the best actress award went to Hafsia Herzi for her role in "Borgo," while Karim Leklou took home best actor honors for his performance in "Le Roman de Jim" (Jim's Story).

Besides Gascón, Hollywood star Julia Roberts provided another highlight of the César ceremony, receiving an honorary award in recognition of her storied career. Roberts was welcomed onto the stage by actor Clive Owen, her past co-star, as the audience honored her with a standing ovation.

Looking forward, "Emilia Pérez" heads into the Oscars with substantial momentum, boasting 13 nominations. A victory for the film would represent Netflix’s first-ever win for best picture. Moreover, despite the controversy, Gascón's nomination in the best actress category remains historic as she is the first openly transgender actor recognized in this category. However, her chances of securing an Oscar now appear diminished amid the current backlash.