Emilia Perez star Zoe Saldaña says she is willing to engage in dialogue with her “Mexican brothers and sisters” about how the controversial film could have been made better.
Despite winning two Oscars out of its 11 nominations, the movie has faced significant backlash. After receiving the Best Actress in a Supporting Role Oscar for her performance in the film, Zoe was questioned by a Mexican reporter about the film’s portrayal of Mexico and its people, which she acknowledged as being “really hurtful for us Mexicans”.
In response, Zoe defended the film but committed to engaging in discussions on how the film could have been “done better”. She extended an apology, emphasizing that causing offense was “never their intention”.
She said: “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.
Zoe Saldana at the 97th Oscars (
Penske Media via Getty Images)
“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 expressed her eagerness to engage in a meaningful dialogue with all her ”Mexican brothers and sisters” with ”love and respect,” adding she would like to have a conversation with them about ”how Emilia could’ve been done better”.
In a heartfelt nod to her roots during her Best Actress in a Supporting Role acceptance speech, she reflected on her family’s journey, saying: “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.”
Zoe Saldana accepts her award (
Getty Images)
Overwhelmed with emotion as she approached the stage, she exuberantly declared: “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.”
Also expressing her gratitude towards the French director, she said: “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 also gave a shout-out to her family’s influence: “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.”