Her victory tour didn’t final lengthy.
Zoe Saldaña discovered herself apologizing about “Emilia Perez” — simply minutes after she received the very best supporting actress Oscar for her function within the drama.
Within the press interview room, a journalist informed Saldaña, 46, that the film had been “hurtful for us Mexicans.”
“First of all, I’m very, very sorry that many Mexicans felt offended. That was never our intention. We spoke from a place of love,” Saldaña replied, per Selection.
The “Avatar” star added: “I don’t share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We were making a film about friendship. We were making a film about four women.”
The film follows a Mexican cartel kingpin (Karla Sofia Gascon) who transitions into a girl, with assist from a lawyer (Saldaña). Selena Gomez co-stars.
“The cartels are these symbolic metaphorical ideas in the American imagination,” Héctor Tobar, writer of “Our Migrant Souls” and professor on the College of California in Irvine, informed USA Right now.
Relating to “Emilia Perez,” he added, “That subject material is always going to be extremely problematic and like every other film about cartels, it can’t help but glorify them.”
Saldaña continued her protection of the movie by saying that the primary characters “could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza.”
She added, “And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day, but trying to survive systemic oppression and trying to find the most authentic voices. So I will stand by that, but I’m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, with love and respect, [to have] a great conversation on how ‘Emilia Pérez’ could have been done better. I welcome it.”
Earlier within the evening, throughout her acceptance speech on the Oscars, Saldaña emotionally opened up about her household and upbringing.
“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,” she mentioned onstage at LA’s Dolby Theatre.
She famous, “The fact that I’m getting an award for a role where I got to sing and speak in Spanish — my grandmother, if she were here, she would be so delighted, this is for my grandmother.”
“Emilia Perez” went into the evening with 13 Oscar nominations however acquired smoked unexpectedly winner “Anora” and received simply two trophies — finest supporting actress for Saldaña and finest authentic track for “El Mal.”
