Netflix chief: Emilia Pérez controversy a 'bummer'

A significant issue has arisen for the film 'Emilia Pérez' due to some old tweets made by its star, Karla Sofía Gascón. Bela Bajaria, a senior executive at Netflix, expressed her disappointment regarding the situation, stating that it is truly unfortunate for everyone involved in the film. Gascón, who has been nominated for an Oscar, has publicly apologized for the pain her tweets have caused and has decided to withdraw from the film's awards campaign. In a recent interview on The Town podcast, Bajaria shared her feelings, saying, 'I think it's really a bummer for the 100 incredibly talented people who made an amazing movie. ' She highlighted the film's numerous nominations and accolades, lamenting that the focus has shifted away from celebrating the film's success to discussing Gascón's controversial tweets. The tweets in question included comments about Islam, George Floyd, and diversity at the Oscars, which have sparked significant backlash. Following the revelation of these tweets, Gascón expressed her deep regret, stating that she is not a racist and that many of her comments were taken out of context. When asked if Netflix would reconsider its social media vetting process for actors in light of this incident, Bajaria responded that it is not common practice to scrutinize social media in such a manner. However, she acknowledged that many are reevaluating their approaches to this issue. Bajaria pointed out the logistical challenges of implementing a vetting process, questioning whether it would be feasible to monitor the personal social media accounts of thousands of individuals daily. Despite the controversy surrounding Gascón, Bajaria affirmed that Netflix does not regret acquiring the film, stating, 'If you ask me today, everything I know, we would still buy the movie today. ' She praised the film as incredible, creative, and bold, emphasizing its resonance with audiences this year. Gascón has since withdrawn from several awards season events following the emergence of the tweets, and it remains uncertain whether she will attend the Oscars on March 2. She has expressed her desire to step back and allow the film to speak for itself, hoping that her silence will enable viewers to appreciate the film as a beautiful tribute to love and diversity. The film's director, Jacques Audiard, has also condemned Gascón's tweets and stated that he is no longer in contact with her. Netflix had not publicly commented on the situation until Bajaria's interview, but the company has adjusted its awards campaign in response to the controversy. The promotional materials for the film have been altered, with Gascón being less prominently featured in advertisements. This shift suggests that Netflix is attempting to minimize Gascón's presence to prevent the controversy from overshadowing the film and the contributions of her co-stars. Gascón has released several statements since the tweets came to light, primarily through her social media accounts. However, it was revealed that she participated in an interview with CNN without the involvement or approval of the film's public relations team. This indicates that Netflix is distancing itself from Gascón, as the PR team would typically advise against granting interviews during a crisis. Gascón was scheduled to attend various awards events, including the AFI Awards luncheon and the Critics Choice Awards, but she has chosen to withdraw from these appearances amid the ongoing turmoil. Reports suggest that Netflix and the film's PR team have ceased direct communication with Gascón, opting to communicate solely through her agent. Additionally, it has been reported that Netflix is no longer covering her travel expenses or styling for appearances at these events. The uncertainty surrounding Gascón's attendance at the Oscars continues to loom. The Oscars have a unique format known as the 'Fab Five,' where five previous winners of a category present the award to the current year's nominees. However, it has been reported that the Academy has decided to abandon this format for acting categories this year, meaning no actress will be invited to honor Gascón's performance on stage. This decision appears to have been made prior to the controversy surrounding her tweets. Gascón's co-star, Zoe Saldaña, is considered a strong contender for the Best Supporting Actress award. Saldaña expressed her sadness regarding Gascón's tweets, stating that she does not support such rhetoric and has no tolerance for negativity towards any group. She emphasized that her experience with the film's cast was centered around inclusivity and collaboration. As the awards season progresses, Oscar voters and industry experts will be closely monitoring upcoming events, such as the Bafta Film Awards and SAG Awards, to see if Saldaña can still secure her anticipated win despite the controversy surrounding Gascón. Meanwhile, director Jacques Audiard has distanced himself from Gascón, stating that she needs time to reflect and take responsibility for her actions. Gascón has reiterated her regret for her original tweets and expressed her desire to focus on the film and the incredible work done by the cast and crew.