Director Jacques Audiard has broken his silence regarding the ongoing controversy surrounding Emilia Prez star Karla Sofa Gascn, whose Oscar campaign has been marred by the resurfacing of racist and controversial tweets. The director, in a recent interview with Deadline, expressed his disappointment in Gascns behavior and distanced himself from the actress, stating that he does not understand why she continues to make decisions that could harm herself and those around her.I havent spoken to her, and I dont want to, Audiard said, emphasizing that he does not feel the need to engage with Gascn, whom he described as being in a self-destructive state. He further questioned her motives, saying, Why is she harming herself? Why? I dont understand it, and what I dont understand about this too is why shes harming people who were very close to her.The controversy stems from Gascns social media posts from 2020 and 2021, which sparked outrage when they resurfaced in late January. The posts, which addressed sensitive topics such as George Floyds death, Muslims, and the COVID-19 pandemic, were widely condemned and led to a significant backlash. Gascns actions subsequently undermined her Oscar campaign for Best Actress, and have also impacted Emilia Prez as a whole. Actress Zoe Saldaa, a frontrunner for Best Supporting Actress, publicly disavowed Gascns remarks, and Netflix reportedly distanced itself from the actress, removing her image from promotional materials and not inviting her to upcoming award season events.Despite the growing fallout, Gascn has continued to defend herself publicly and deactivated accounts online. In an effort to address the damage caused by her statements, she appeared in an interview with CNN in Spanish and posted a lengthy statement on Instagram, asserting that she is not racist. However, Audiard expressed frustration with Gascns approach, particularly her victim-blaming rhetoric.Shes really playing the victim, Audiard said. Shes talking about herself as a victim, which is surprising. Its as if she thought that words dont hurt. He expressed disbelief at her attempts to downplay the gravity of her actions.In her initial statement following the controversy, Gascn acknowledged the hurt caused by her past posts. As someone in a marginalized community, I know this suffering all too well, and I am deeply sorry to those I have caused pain, she said. All my life I have fought for a better world. I believe light will always triumph over darkness.While Gascns scandal has stolen much of the attention surrounding Emilia Prez, the film itself has faced its own criticisms. Some members of the Latino community have expressed dissatisfaction with the portrayal of Mexican culture in the film, prompting Audiard to respond. The director defended his creative vision, explaining that Emilia Prez was intended as an opera rather than a realistic depiction of Mexico. It seems Im being attacked in the court of realism. Well, Ive never claimed that I wanted to make a realistic work, Audiard said. If I wanted to make a work that was particularly documented, then I would do a documentary, but then there would be no singing and dancing.Audiard further addressed a review that criticized the film for including photocopiers in night markets, a claim he dismissed as misguided. In night markets in Mexico City, one also doesnt sing and dance, he noted. You have to accept that is part of the magic here. This is an opera, not a criticism of anything about Mexico.Emilia Prez has certainly faced its share of hurdles, but Audiard is steadfast in his commitment to the project. The films unique blend of opera, musicality, and emotional depth, according to the director, is central to the story he is tellingone that is not bound by the constraints of realism.As the controversy continues to unfold, it remains unclear what the future holds for both Emilia Prez and Gascns career. While Audiard has made it clear that he no longer wishes to engage with Gascn, the actress continues to address the fallout from her past statements. Whether the film and its stars can overcome the ongoing scrutiny is yet to be seen, but Audiard remains focused on his artistic vision, confident that his work will be judged on its own terms rather than the controversy surrounding Gascn.The post Jacques Audiard Says Hes Had No Contact with Karla Sofa Gascn Since Her Apology, Calls Her Behavior Self-Destructive appeared first on Gayety.