PARIS (AP) 鈥� Oscar contender "Emilia P茅rez" was named the best French film of the year at the C茅sars awards 鈥� France's equivalent of the Oscars 鈥� and under-fire , the star of Jacques Audiard鈥檚 Mexico-set melodrama, made a rare public appearance.
The musical is one of the most celebrated films of the year but has also been and engulfed in controversy because of Gasc贸n's previous social media posts disparaging Muslims, George Floyd and diversity at the Oscars.
Although Gasc贸n, who was nominated in the best actress category along with her co-star Zoe 厂补濒诲补帽补, did not win a C茅sar, the night in Paris was triumphal for 鈥淓milia P茅rez,鈥� which swept seven trophies.
Audiard, who previously condemned Gasc贸n's comments, thanked his 鈥渕arvelous team鈥� and his female actors.
鈥淲hen I say my team it鈥檚 not in the sense of ownership, but a declaration of love,鈥� he said. "The same goes for the actresses. My darling Zoe, my darling Karla, Adriana (Paz) who is not here, Selena (Gomez) who is not here. I loved working with you, I love you.鈥�
Old posts from Gascon鈥榮 X account resurfaced in January, some going as far back as 2016, that took aim at Muslims鈥� dress, language and culture in her native Spain. She also suggested that Islam be banned. And less than a month after , a Black man, was killed by a white Minneapolis police officer in 2020, Gasc贸n offered her assessment of Floyd 鈥� whose death prompted widespread and racism 鈥� as a drug addict who 鈥渧ery few people ever cared鈥� for.
Gasc贸n, who stars as the titular transgender ex-cartel boss in 鈥淓milia P茅rez,鈥� has withdrawn from promoting the film, which has 13 Oscar nominations. Audiard has condemned her comments.
If it manages to steer through the backlash and go home the big winner at the Oscars on Sunday, it would hand Netflix its first best picture win. Gasc贸n is the first openly trans actor nominated for best actress and a win would be even more historic, although her chances of taking the award home now appear very slim.
Gasc贸n, who has for her old posts, attended the 50th anniversary of the C茅sars ceremony presided over by Catherine Deneuve at the Olympia theater in Paris. She wore a black dress and posed for photographers but did not speak to reporters.
also made the dash to Paris before she takes to the Oscars carpet as the favorite to take the best supporting actress Oscar.
In Paris, Gasc贸n and 厂补濒诲补帽补 were nominated for the C茅sar for best actress, but it was handed to French actor Hafsia Herzi for her performance in 鈥淏orgo.鈥� Best actor went to Karim Leklou for his performance in 鈥淟e Roman de Jim鈥� (Jim's Story).
Julia Roberts was also in Paris on Friday to receive an honorary C茅sar for her career achievements. She was called onto the stage by Clive Owen, with whom she starred in 鈥淐loser鈥� and 鈥淒uplicity,鈥� and was treated to a standing ovation.
The Associated Press
