“Emilia Pérez” Director Condemns Karla Sofía Gascón’s ‘Hateful’ Tweets: ‘I Don’t Want to’ Speak with Her

Emilia Pérez Director Condemns Karla Sofía Gascón’s ‘Hateful’ Tweets

In a recent interview with Deadline, Emilia Pérez director Jacques Audiard expressed his strong disapproval of the controversial tweets made by the movie’s lead actress, Karla Sofía Gascón. The French writer-director, aged 72, did not mince words when he referred to Gascón’s resurfaced social media posts as “inexcusable.”

Audiard, who helmed the Oscar-contending Netflix musical-thriller, Emilia Pérez, shared his inner turmoil about working with Gascón, who plays a Mexican drug cartel leader transitioning into a woman in the film. Despite the exceptional trust and camaraderie on set, Audiard admitted feeling deeply affected by Gascón’s divisive statements, which touched on sensitive topics such as Muslim culture, George Floyd, and diversity.

The movie, which made history by receiving 13 nominations at the Academy Awards, faced a significant backlash following the public outrage over Gascón’s past tweets. The Spanish actress, aged 52, issued an apology and deactivated her Twitter account, leading to a wave of discussions about her participation in upcoming award ceremonies.

Gascón’s controversies prompted her to address the public directly, asserting that she has “nothing to hide” and seeking guidance on how to navigate the ongoing awards season amidst the turmoil. Despite refuting accusations of racism and Islamophobia, she remains embroiled in a heated debate over the impact of her social media activity.

Audiard expressed his reluctance to engage with Gascón at this time, emphasising the need for her to reflect and take responsibility for her actions. He highlighted the ripple effect of Gascón’s words, not only on herself but also on those around her, including the Emilia Pérez crew and her co-star Zoe Saldana, who expressed her disappointment over the situation.

As Emilia Pérez continues to garner attention for its accolades and controversies, Audiard lamented that the focus has shifted away from the film itself. The director’s candid remarks shed light on the complexities of navigating a high-profile project amid a storm of controversy surrounding one of its key figures.

Despite the challenges faced by Emilia Pérez, the film remains available for streaming on Netflix, inviting viewers to experience the unique blend of storytelling and performances that have captured the attention of audiences and critics alike. As the industry grapples with issues of representation and accountability, the conversation sparked by Gascón’s tweets serves as a reminder of the power and pitfalls of social media in today’s digital age.