Could ‘Emilia Pérez’ Be Final Nail In Oscars’ Cultural Coffin?

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Oscar scandals are now an inevitable part of awards season.

Did you know that the character portrayed in “A Beautiful Mind” was known for making derogatory remarks towards Jews? Similarly, Adrien Brody’s outstanding performance in “The Brutalist” benefited from artificial intelligence.

This situation stands out as unique, making it particularly unfortunate for an industry grappling with a cultural crisis. The falling viewership at the gala might not even compare to the challenges the Academy faces after the controversy known as GascónGate.

The masses may finally tune out Oscar night as a cultural institution.

Initially, while it may not have been as sensational, the initial aspect of the scandal proved to be more harmful in the grand scheme of things. The Netflix musical “Emilia Pérez” astonishingly garnered a staggering 13 Oscar nominations last month, surpassing the number of nominations received by many cherished films throughout history.

Three movies stand out as having received more recognition in the realm of film nominations – “The Godfather,” “Raging Bull,” and “Citizen Kane.” Interestingly, only three other films have managed to surpass 13 nominations. These include “All About Eve,” “La La Land,” and “Titanic” (all earned 14 nods).

The French musical narrates the story of Karla Sofía Gascón, formerly a ruthless leader of a criminal cartel, who decides to undergo gender reassignment surgery and transforms into a dynamic figure in the nonprofit sector. Eager for a fresh start, she embarks on a new life.

The movie hasn’t received the widespread praise that could account for its numerous nominations. The movie’s 72% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes offers some insight, but its 17% “rotten” rating (and decreasing) from audiences suggests a deeper issue at play.

Why does a movie with mostly negative reviews end up getting so many nominations? The Oscar committee soon provided some explanations. The film’s forward-thinking themes, such as the protagonist’s transformation and the feminist viewpoints expressed by co-star Zoe Saldaña, proved irresistible to voters.

Both sides of the ideological aisle agreed for a change.

Vulture:

By casting their vote for Emilia Pérez and advocating for Karla Sofia Gascón to win Best Actress, they felt they were making a strong statement against the Trump administration’s attempts to suppress transgender identity. Although Gascón was considered an underdog in her category, she turned out to be a valuable asset in the campaign. Regardless of what others might have said, here was one transparent individual who could authentically endorse Emilia Pérez as a shining example of hope amidst the darkness.

John Nolte at Breitbart.com:

The movie received a high critical acclaim of 73% on Rotten Tomatoes, yet only garnered a disappointing 17% approval from the audience. Despite this, it managed to secure 13 Oscar nominations, suggesting that merit may not have been a deciding factor in its recognition.

Remember merit? Do Oscar voters?

Once more, political considerations overshadowed artistic flair during the Oscars in 2025. This wouldn’t have been a significant issue in previous years, but with President Donald Trump and his followers, such as Robby Starbuck and Christopher Rufo, leading the charge against diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), it’s become hard to ignore.

This year’s award ceremony appears to be influenced by a strong current of culture, with many spectators harboring suspicions that political considerations play a significant role among the Academy voters even before “Emilia Pérez” was nominated. The inflated number of nominations only served to strengthen these doubts.

Previously, a journalist had unearthed some questionable tweets from Gascón’s past. A transgender actress, one of the five nominees for an Oscar in her category, has been quite open about her personal life on social media.

Some quick examples:

Islam is remarkable, devoid of any machismo. Women are highly valued, and the practice of wearing a veil is a symbol of their respect for tradition and modesty. This attire leaves openings for the eyes and mouth, but it’s worth noting that this is typically a personal choice based on one’s behavior and beliefs.”

By addressing the topic in a more neutral and informative manner, we can foster understanding and mutual respect among different cultures and beliefs.

It seems to me that many folks may not have cared much about George Floyd, who had a troubled past involving drugs and fraud. However, his tragic death has underscored an unfortunate reality: there are still people who hold prejudiced views about Black individuals as being less than human or lacking basic rights, and who view police officers as murderers. These beliefs are misguided.

As a film enthusiast, I must admit that the response to those messages was instantaneous and unyielding. Traditional media outlets, who might typically brush aside scandals involving progressive celebrities, sprang into full-blown defense mode. The story ignited like wildfire and shows no signs of burning out just yet.

As a passionate movie critic, I found myself utterly disappointed in “Emilia” directed by Jacques Audiard. The character of Gascón was tragically abandoned, leaving me yearning for more depth and development. Similarly, co-star Saldaña seemed to distance herself, perhaps fearing her chances for Best Supporting Actress recognition might crumble under such a lackluster portrayal.

Now, Gascón is going radio silent hoping not to stain “Emilia Perez” any further.

The karmic aspect cannot be overlooked. The world of Hollywood has been a silent observer as Cancel Culture swept through the entertainment sector, causing devastation. Famous figures have remained on the sidelines as offenders such as Harvey Weinstein and controversial social media users like Roseanne Barr experienced career collapse.

The idea that actions have consequences couldn’t be clearer in Hollywood right now. As Cancel Culture destroys careers, stars are watching from the sidelines while those accused of misconduct (like Harvey Weinstein) or sending offensive tweets (such as Roseanne Barr) suffer career downfall.

They cheered the former and let the latter happen without a response.

Currently, the influence of Cancel Culture seems to be dwindling, but it remains potent enough to potentially derail Gascón’s aspirations for an Oscar.

The most difficult issue to overlook in the case of ‘Emilia Pérez’ might be one, and it’s Giancarlo Sopo’s observation that the musical misrepresents Mexican culture quite significantly. These aren’t trivial criticisms arising from casual viewings; they are deeply rooted issues.

scarcely: Sopo’s essay pointed out numerous linguistic blunders in the movie, which indicated that the filmmakers lacked proper research and understanding of the culture.

They failed to crack the books, to be kind. It’s the ultimate diversity fail.

The nominated tunes in the movie are quite jarring, as demonstrated by “Mi Camino.” This song features rigid, forced allusions to “séptimo cielo,” which is an awkward, literal translation of “Seventh Heaven,” a term unfamiliar to English speakers. “El Mal” shares similar flaws, with lines like “Los llevan afuera…” – a literal translation of “They take them out” that native speakers would more naturally express as “Los sacan…

Despite broadening its voter base after the “OscarsSoWhite” movement, the Academy inadvertently overlooked these obvious oversights, which is yet another blemish on their reputation.

So where does that leave the Oscars?

RELATED: STEPHEN KING — CANCEL THE OSCARS

Previously, the institution undermined its own goals by insisting on diversity criteria for potential Best Picture nominees. The event became a platform for liberal celebrities to repeatedly criticize conservatives, which in turn alienated viewers from conservative states.

Likely for good.

The Academy chose Jimmy Kimmel, a comedian known for his liberal views, as the long-term host of their program, thereby reinforcing the show’s inherent political leanings.

Is it a shock to see the event’s ratings shrink over the years?

  • 2014: 43.7 million
  • 2023: 18.8 million
  • 2024: 19.5 million

The phenomenon known as the “Oscar bounce,” where nominated films would see a boost in their box office earnings following the announcement, occurs less often these days.

Now? Most films are already available for streaming and others see modest gains.

In more recent times, the grand event has experienced a series of unexpected setbacks. Incidents like the mix-up between “La La Land” and “Moonlight” for the Best Picture award, or Will Smith striking Chris Rock during the show but then winning the Best Actor Oscar shortly after, come to mind.

The March 2 events were supposed to be an opportunity to revive the enchantment of the Oscars. Maybe Jack Nicholson would emerge from semi-retirement, offering a friendly greeting from the first row for the audience’s delight.

Who wouldn’t love to see that?

This year’s host, Conan O’Brien, is less politically inclined compared to Kimmel or other recent hosts. Over the past few weeks, the devastating wildfires in LA have significantly affected the industry. A significant portion of the evening will be dedicated to acknowledging the bravery of local firefighters and expressing a commitment to rebuilding the City of Angels.

That sentiment could lure a few reluctant viewers back to the ceremony. Goodwill matters.

In a twist, it will become clear that the movie with the highest nominations for the evening bypassed others due to its ideological standpoints.

In the least favorable situation, the gathering of stars might transform the Oscars into “Resistance Theatre,” potentially discouraging those who even contemplated supporting Trump from attending.

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2025-02-11 01:07