• Jacques Audiard, director of 'Emilia Pérez,' distances himself from lead actress Karla Sofía Gascón after her racist tweets resurface.
• Zoe Saldaña expresses sadness and disappointment over the controversy, emphasizing the film's ethos of inclusivity.
• Netflix reportedly removes Gascón from promotional materials, further isolating her from the Oscar campaign.
• Gascón maintains her stance, asserting she won't back down despite the backlash against her offensive remarks.

Jacques Audiard, the esteemed director of the Oscar-nominated film 'Emilia Pérez', has revealed an emotional rift with star Karla Sofía Gascón, following the resurfacing of her Islamophobic and derogatory comments on social media. Audiard has stated publicly that he has not spoken to Gascón since the controversy began and has affirmed he does not wish to do so, deeming her past remarks “inexcusable” and “absolutely hateful.” According to HuffPost, the situation has overshadowed the film’s excitement surrounding its 13 Oscar nominations.

Gascón's past social media posts included disparaging comments about George Floyd and offensive views on Muslims, leading to her receiving widespread criticism. Despite initially apologizing for the pain she caused, she later attempted to downplay the significance of her remarks, asserting to CNN that she was “neither racist nor anything that all these people have tried to make others believe.” This has drawn ire from her associates, with Audiard expressing disappointment in Gascón’s victim mentality during interviews, suggesting she needs space to reflect on her actions.

Co-star Zoe Saldaña has also spoken out about the turmoil, emphasizing her sadness and disappointment regarding Gascón's comments. In an interview with the Guardian, Saldaña articulated her commitment to inclusivity and stated, “We are responsible for everything we say.” She has attempted to distance herself from Gascón while not fully alienating her, reinforcing the need for accountability and awareness of the consequences of one's words.

While Saldaña strives to maintain a sense of joy amid the accolades, she remains aware that Gascón’s conduct significantly taints the film’s legacy. Conversely, Netflix has taken steps to distance itself from Gascón, reportedly removing her from promotional campaigns and ceasing funding for her appearances at various award ceremonies, as detailed in a report by CNN.

As the Academy Awards approach, the fallout from Gascón’s racist tweets continues to blur the narrative surrounding 'Emilia Pérez' and complicate the Oscar campaigns for its cast and crew. Audiard's frank statements have highlighted the emotional toll this situation has taken, as he reflects on the trust that has been impacted by Gascón's comments. With the ceremony set for March 2, the ongoing discussions about accountability and inclusivity continue to unfold within the film community.

For more detailed coverage of this story, visit the original articles on The Guardian and CNN.