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Just six weeks ago \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez\u201d got 13 Oscar nominations, more than any other film this year. Its lead actress, Karla Sof\u00eda Gasc\u00f3n, made history by becoming the first openly trans actor to be nominated and the film, a musical about a Mexican cartel boss, was seen as a real contender to win the Academy Award for best picture.<\/p>\n
It did not work out that way.<\/p>\n
Collapsing under the weight of award-season scandal after derogatory comments<\/a> resurfaced that Gasc\u00f3n had posted years ago on social media, \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez\u201d wound up winning just two Oscars: for best supporting actress and best original song (\u201cEl Mal\u201d).<\/p>\n Its travails became a punchline during the opening monologue from the evening\u2019s host, Conan O\u2019Brien. \u201cLittle fact for you: \u2018Anora\u2019 uses the F-word 479 times,\u201d he said. \u201cThat\u2019s three more than the record set by Karla Sofia Gasc\u00f3n\u2019s publicist.\u201d<\/p>\n And even when its winners were supposed to be getting feted, they faced some of the only pointed questions of the night. Inside the press room, Cristina Iba\u00f1ez, a journalist for a Mexican publication, confronted Zoe Salda\u00f1a, who won for best supporting actress, telling her bluntly<\/a> that \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez\u201d was \u201creally hurtful for us Mexicans.\u201d (The film, by the French writer-director Jacques Audiard, drew criticism in Mexico<\/a> for its depiction of the country and the fact that few Mexicans were involved in the production.)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n \u201cFirst of all, I am very, very sorry that you and so many Mexicans felt offended,\u201d Salda\u00f1a said. \u201cThat was never our intention. We came from a place of love, and I will stand by that.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters and with love and respect, have a great conversation on how \u2018Emilia\u2019 could have been done better,\u201d she added later.<\/p>\n All told, it was a tough night for Netflix, Hollywood\u2019s dominant streamer.<\/p>\n The company proudly displays the Oscars it has won in a glass case in the lobby of its headquarters. Yet nowhere among that gleaming gold is a statuette for best picture. Despite spending lavishly on its campaigns, it\u2019s the one prize that has eluded the studio<\/a>, much to the delight of its less successful competitors and to filmmakers who still chafe at Netflix\u2019s resistance to theatrical releases. \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez\u201d had been seen as a strong contender to win for best international feature this year, and some had thought it might finally win Netflix that best picture trophy.<\/p>\n Then, in January, the journalist Sarah Hagi<\/a> resurfaced comments Gasc\u00f3n had posted on social media in which she denigrated Muslims, George Floyd and even the Oscars.<\/p>\n On Sunday night Brazil\u2019s \u201cI\u2019m Still Here\u201d won the international feature award over \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez.\u201d And aside from its two wins for \u201cEmilia P\u00e9rez,\u201d Netflix claimed only one other trophy, in the documentary short film category<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n One of the stars of the night, Sean Baker \u2014 who won four Oscars for \u201cAnora\u201d \u2014 tried to rally support for the moviegoing experience during a speech. \u201cWhere did we fall in love with the movies? At the movie theater,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a communal experience you simply don\u2019t get at home.\u201d<\/p>\n During the ceremony Gasc\u00f3n, who kept a low profile for a nominee, walked out to the bar to get a drink, surrounded by a phalanx of people, including her daughter, her agent, a concerned publicist from Netflix and private security.<\/p>\n She was kissed by Adrien Brody, who chatted with her and went on to win for best actor. Approached by a reporter, Gasc\u00f3n was jovial and seemed interested in chatting, before the publicist shut down any more conversation.<\/p>\n Gasc\u00f3n fetched her drink, winked and blew a kiss before being whisked away.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n