After taking residence the Oscar for greatest supporting actress, “Emilia Pérez” star Zoe Saldaña responded to criticism of the movie’s portrayal of Mexico, after a journalist shared that it has been “actually hurtful for us Mexicans.”
“To begin with, I’m very, very sorry that many Mexicans felt offended. That was by no means our intention. We spoke from a spot of affection,” she informed press within the interview room. “I don’t share your opinion. For me, the guts of this film was not Mexico. We have been making a movie about friendship. We have been making a movie about 4 girls.”
She continued, “These girls may have been Russian, may have been Dominican, may have been Black from Detroit, may have been from Israel, may have been from Gaza. And these girls are nonetheless very common girls which can be struggling on daily basis, however attempting to outlive systemic oppression and looking for essentially the most genuine voices. So I’ll stand by that, however I’m additionally at all times open to take a seat down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, with love and respect, [to have] an incredible dialog on how ‘Emilia Pérez’ may have been performed higher. I welcome it.”
Earlier within the evening throughout her acceptance speech, Saldaña highlighted her household’s historical past as immigrants to the US, “My grandmother got here to this nation in 1961 — I’m a proud baby of immigrant mother and father. With desires and dignity and hard-working fingers, and I’m the primary American of Dominican origin to simply accept an Academy Award, and I do know I can’t be the final. I hope. The truth that I’m getting an award for a task the place I bought to sing and communicate in Spanish — my grandmother, if she have been right here, she can be so delighted, that is for my grandmother.”
Regardless of drawing criticism from the Mexican and queer group by way of awards season, “Emilia Pérez” was the highest contender on the Oscars Sunday evening, main the sector with 13 nominations. Saldaña gained for supporting actress, whereas the musical’s quantity “El Mal” took residence unique track. Nevertheless, with 11 losses throughout all classes, the characteristic additionally tied because the all-time greatest loser within the historical past of the Oscars, a document shared by movies like “The Shade Purple” and “The Energy of the Canine.”
“Anora” was the highest winner at Sunday’s ceremony, with 5 wins together with greatest image. See the full listing of Oscar winners right here.
