Netflix’s Oscar Campaign for "Emilia Pérez" Hits a Snag Amid Controversy

A Promising Start for "Emilia Pérez"

Netflix’s Emilia Pérez was poised to dominate the Oscars this year. With 13 nominations, the film stood as a standout contender, and its star, Karla Sofía Gascón, made history as the first openly transgender performer to be nominated for an Academy Award in an acting category. The movie tells the gripping story of a Mexican cartel leader who fakes her death to undergo gender-affirming procedures, earning widespread critical acclaim. Gascón’s performance was particularly praised, cementing her status as a rising talent in Hollywood.

However, what seemed like a triumphant awards season for Netflix and the Emilia Pérez team quickly took a turn for the worse. Just as the film was basking in the glory of its nominations, a firestorm erupted when offensive social media posts from Gascón resurfaced, sparking widespread backlash. The controversy has cast a shadow over the film’s Oscar campaign, leaving Netflix and the cast scrambling to respond.

The Social Media Controversy and Backlash

The trouble began when journalist Sarah Hagi shared screenshots of Gascón’s past social media posts, which included derogatory comments about Muslims, George Floyd, and others. The posts, which were deemed offensive and hurtful, led to immediate outrage on social media. Gascón, who deactivated her X account in the wake of the controversy, issued an apology for her remarks, acknowledging the harm caused by her words.

Despite her apology, the fallout was swift and severe. Gascón was visibly removed from the film’s publicity campaign, and her co-stars and collaborators distanced themselves from her. Selena Gomez, who appeared in the film, expressed mixed emotions during a recent appearance at the Santa Barbara International Film Festival. “Some of the magic has disappeared,” Gomez said, though she remained proud of her work on the film and grateful for the opportunity. Similarly, Zoe Saldaña, another co-star, expressed sadness and disappointment over the situation.

Netflix’s Response to the Crisis

Netflix’s chief content officer, Bela Bajaria, addressed the controversy publicly for the first time during an interview on The Town podcast with Puck’s Matt Belloni. Bajaria expressed her disappointment over the situation, emphasizing the hard work and talent of the 100 individuals who worked on Emilia Pérez. “It’s really a bummer for 100 very incredibly talented people who made an amazing movie,” she said. “So, for me, it’s really about that.”

When asked whether Netflix would vet talent more closely in the future, Bajaria acknowledged that the company was “having conversations” about the issue. However, she also noted the logistical challenges of scrutinizing the social media activity of the tens of thousands of people involved in Netflix’s productions. “What should that process look like?” she mused. “If you asked me today, with everything I know, we would still buy the movie.”

The Broader Implications of the Controversy

The fallout from Gascón’s social media posts raises important questions about accountability, forgiveness, and the relationship between artists and their work. While some argue that individuals deserve a chance to grow and learn from their mistakes, others believe that offensive behavior should carry consequences, especially in the public eye. The controversy has also sparked a broader conversation about how studios and streaming platforms like Netflix should handle such situations in the future.

For now, Emilia Pérez continues to garner attention for its artistic merits, but the scandal surrounding Gascón has undeniably overshadowed its Oscar campaign. Whether the film can still take home the coveted awards it was once expected to win remains to be seen. One thing is certain, however: this incident serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges of navigating the intersection of art, identity, and public perception in modern Hollywood.