The Oscars saw two wins for Emilia Perez – with a Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Zoe Saldana and Best Original Song – despite their 11 nominations
Zoe Saldaña says she is open to sit down with her “Mexican brothers and sisters” to talk about Emilia Perez.
The movie – which won in two of the 11 categories it was nominated in at the Oscars – has been heavily criticised. In the winners room, after picking up an Oscar for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for her part in the film, Zoe was asked by a reporter from a Mexican outlet about the movie’s depiction of Mexico and its people, which she said was “really hurtful for us Mexicans”.
Replying to the journalist, Zoe stood by the film – but vowed to “sit down” with anyone to have a conversation about how the movie could have “done better”. In a lengthy response, she apologised – and said offence was “never their intention”.
“First of all, I’m very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love. But I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico,” she said.
“We weren’t making a film about a country; we were making a film about four women. They could have been Russian, they could have been Dominican, they could have been Black, from Detroit, they could have been from Israel, they could have been from Gaza. These women are all very universal women, trying to survive every day, trying to survive systemic oppression… So I will stand by that.”
She then added that she would happily “sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, with love and respect, and have a conversation about how Emilia could’ve been done better”.
In her acceptance speech after collecting the Best Actress in a Supporting Role award, she spoke of her heritage.
She said: “My grandmother came to this country in 1961. I am a proud child of immigrant parents with dreams and dignity and hard-working hands, and I am the first American of Dominican origin to accept an Academy Award, and I know I will not be the last. I hope.”
As she rushed on stage, she said: “Mommy! Mommy! My mom is here, my whole family is here. I am floored by this honour. Thank you to the Academy for recognising the quiet heroism and the power of a woman like Rita and talking about powerful women, my fellow nominees, the love and community you have offered me is a true gift and I will pay it forward. Thank you so much.
“Jacques Audiard you are forever a beloved character in my life, thank you for taking the interest, thank you for being so curious about these women to tell this story. To my cast and crew of ‘Emilia Perez’, I am sharing this award with you.”
She added: “To my mom and dad, my sisters, everything brave, outrageous and good that I have ever done in my life is because of you, thank you so much. And to my husband, you have beautiful hair, you’re just… The biggest honour of my life is being my partner You hung the moon in our beautiful sons, Cy Bowie and Zen. They fill our skies every night with stars.
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