Zoe Saldaña, the star of the film "Emilia Pérez," made headlines at the BAFTA Awards after a flustered moment during her acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress. Saldaña’s portrayal of Rita Mora Castro, a lawyer assisting a Mexican drug cartel leader with gender-affirming surgery, earned her the prestigious award, but the actress found herself racing against the clock as her speech came to an unexpected end.
During her heartfelt speech, Saldaña described working on "Emilia Pérez" as a “creative challenge of a lifetime,” emphasizing the film’s unique narrative that defies easy categorization. She took a moment to thank her fellow cast members, including trans-identifying actor Karla Sofía Gascón, who has recently faced backlash for controversial past tweets. As the countdown to her time limit became apparent, Saldaña expressed her surprise, exclaiming, “Oh my God, I’m getting a countdown, ‘F, f, f***,’” before hurriedly acknowledging more individuals.
In a poignant conclusion, Saldaña remarked, “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.” After the ceremony, she shared with reporters that she wished to mention her trans-identifying relative, who inspired her to take on the role. “He is the reason — they are the reason — I signed up to do this film in the first place,” she stated, affirming her support for the trans community.
"Emilia Pérez" stood out at the BAFTAs, receiving 11 nominations, the second-highest of the night, including nods for Best Film and Best Actress for Gascón. However, Gascón was notably absent from the event due to the ongoing controversy surrounding their past social media activity. The film is also leading the Oscar race with 13 nominations, but the situation with Gascón has cast a shadow over its prospects.
Best Director nominee Jacques Audiard publicly distanced himself from Gascón, labeling their past actions as “inexcusable” and lamenting that the controversy was overshadowing the film’s achievements. Nevertheless, upon winning the Best Director award, Audiard acknowledged Gascón with a kiss and a personal message.
The situation surrounding Gascón has sparked discussions about accountability and the impact of social media on public figures, especially in the context of the entertainment industry. As the Oscars approach on March 2, the film’s journey through the awards season continues to be complicated by these ongoing debates.