French filmmaker Jacques Audiard has distanced himself from Karla Sofía Gascón, the lead actor of his film Emilia Pérez, following controversy over her resurfaced social media posts that many have deemed racist and Islamophobic. The scandal has cast a shadow over Gascón’s historic Oscar nomination for Best Actress, making her the first openly transgender actor to be recognized in an acting category at the Academy Awards.
In a recent interview with Deadline, the 72-year-old director expressed his deep disappointment, revealing that the controversy has profoundly affected his perception of the work they did together. “It’s very hard for me to think back to the work I did with Karla Sofía,” Audiard admitted. “The trust we shared, the exceptional atmosphere on set—it was all based on trust. And when you later discover that someone you worked with has said such hateful things, it changes everything. What she said is inexcusable.”
Audiard also confirmed that he has not spoken to Gascón since the controversy erupted and has no intention of doing so. He described her current actions as “self-destructive” and expressed confusion over why she continues to engage in the controversy. “I don’t understand why she keeps harming herself,” he said. “She’s also hurting the people who worked incredibly hard on this film—the crew, myself, Zoe [Saldaña], Selena [Gomez]. It’s incomprehensible.”
In response to the backlash, Gascón issued a public apology and later appeared in an emotional interview on CNN, where she maintained her innocence. She insisted that she had “not committed any crime” and denied being racist, stating that people were misrepresenting her. She also made it clear that she would not be withdrawing from the Oscar race.
Audiard, however, remains unconvinced. He believes Gascón needs time to reflect and take responsibility for her words before he would consider any future conversation with her. He also accused her of “playing the victim,” suggesting that she does not fully grasp the impact of her words.
Beyond the controversy surrounding Gascón, Emilia Pérez itself has faced criticism despite its impressive 13 Oscar nominations. Some viewers have taken issue with the film’s portrayal of its transgender protagonist, while others have critiqued its depiction of Mexican culture, noting that neither Audiard nor Gascón are Mexican.
Audiard dismissed these criticisms, arguing that many people either misunderstood the film or did not watch it in good faith. He emphasized that Emilia Pérez was never intended to be a hyper-realistic depiction of cartel life. “The film is an opera,” he explained. “Opera has its own stylization. It often embraces schematic storytelling and psychological limitations. I’m not making a documentary.”
He also pushed back against overly literal critiques of the film’s setting. “I read a review that complained about the presence of photocopiers in Mexico City’s night markets. But in real life, people also don’t spontaneously break into song and dance,” he quipped. “You have to embrace the magic. This is an opera, not a documentary.”
With awards season in full swing and the Critics Choice Awards, SAG Awards, and BAFTAs approaching, the controversy surrounding Emilia Pérez continues to generate headlines. While Audiard has chosen to distance himself from Gascón, the film’s future in the Oscar race remains uncertain amid the ongoing backlash.
