Actress Zoe Saldaña took home her first Oscar award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in Emilia Pérez, where she portrayed the lawyer Rita Mora Castro. Despite this achievement, the film itself did not have much success at the recent awards ceremony, winning only two statuettes out of the 13 nominations it had.
During a post-gala press conference, Saldaña responded to criticism regarding Mexico's representation in the film. She expressed her regret for those who may have felt offended, asserting that the heart of the movie does not lie in the country. The actress explained that the story focuses on four universal women fighting against systematic oppression and seeking their authentic voices.
In her Oscar acceptance speech, Zoe Saldaña, of Dominican descent, proudly highlighted her Latin American roots and honored her grandmother, who emigrated to the United States in search of better opportunities. She dedicated the award to her grandmother and to all brave women like her character in the film.
Emilia Pérez, directed by Jacques Audiard, explores the story of a Mexican lawyer addressing issues such as trans activism, femicides, drug trafficking, and corruption. Despite the criticisms received, Saldaña defended the film and expressed her willingness to engage in dialogue with the Mexican audience to improve representation.
The recognition of Zoe Saldaña at the Oscars adds to the previous awards she has received for her role in Emilia Pérez, including a Golden Globe and a BAFTA award. The actress has demonstrated her talent in the film industry with several successful films throughout her career.
