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Director Jacques Audiard’s Surprising BAFTA Speech for ‘Emilia Pérez’
During the 2025 BAFTA Awards, director Jacques Audiard caught many off guard by expressing gratitude towards his star Karla Sofía Gascón, just weeks after he publicly condemned her for previous racist comments on social media.
The film “Emilia Pérez,” which gained acclaim while also dividing opinions, secured the BAFTA for Film Not in the English Language. As reported by Variety, Audiard concluded his acceptance speech by acknowledging Gascón with an affectionate kiss and heartfelt words.
“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 stated through an interpreter. “My dear Zoe [Saldaña], my dear Selena [Gomez], Giorgini, Paul, Juliet, Camille, Clément [Ducol], Julia [Floch-Carbonel], your team, but also you, my dear Sofía, that I kiss. I’m deeply proud of what we achieved together. Long live ‘Emilia Pérez’!”
Despite its acclaim, “Emilia Pérez” has faced challenges, including building an Oscar campaign without Gascón. The film garnered an impressive 13 Academy Award nominations—more than any other entry this year. Gascón previously faced backlash following her derogatory remarks on social media regarding her co-star Selena Gomez and others, including comments about George Floyd and criticisms towards the Muslim community.
Audiard, who has also faced scrutiny for his past remarks about the Spanish language, had previously distanced himself from Gascón in an interview with Deadline, expressing concern about her self-destructive behavior and questioning why she chose to continue it. “I haven’t spoken to her, and I don’t want to. She is in a self-destructive approach that I can’t interfere in. I just don’t understand why she’s harming us,” he said.
Gascón made headlines as the first out trans individual nominated for an Oscar in any acting category. Following the criticism that surrounded her, she initially defended herself in interviews but later chose to step back from the public eye, missing several significant awards events. The question remains whether she will attend the Oscars, although she stated in an interview with CNN that she does not plan to withdraw from the competition.
In a recent CNN interview, Gascón maintained her stance, asserting, “I am neither racist nor anything that all these people have tried to make others believe I am.”
In a discussion with Variety’s Marc Malkin, it was revealed that Netflix experienced significant turmoil surrounding “Emilia Pérez,” including decisions to remove Gascón’s image from promotional materials. Such developments mark a significant turn for an actress who plays the titular role in the film, though Audiard’s kind words at the BAFTAs may indicate the possibility of reconciliation between him and Gascón.
Source
extratv.com