Zoe Saldana has apologized to "any Mexicans" who were offended by the film Emilia Perez. Backstage after her win, Zoe was asked about "the heart of the movie, Mexico," which had also been "really hurtful for us Mexicans".
"First of all, I'm very, very sorrythat you and so many Mexicans felt offended.That was never our intention.We spoke and we came from a place of love and I will stand by that," she said.
"I don't share your opinion. For me, the heart of this movie was not Mexico. We weren't making a film about a country. We were making a film about four women,and these women could have been Russian, could have been Dominican, could have been Black from Detroit, could have been from Israel, could have been from Gaza."
"And these women are still very universal women that are struggling every day at trying to survive systemic oppression," she continued.
"And trying to find their most authentic voices. So I will stand by that,but I'm also always open to sit down with all of my Mexican brothers and sisters, and with love and respect, having a great conversationon how Emilia could have been done better. I welcome it."
The film follows a former drug cartel leader who transitions into a woman and escapes her life of crime. But when she returns to Mexico, she launches a foundation to help families find their missing loved ones, seemingly believing her decision to now help will absolve her of past crimes.
Among the many criticisms of the film are include the portrayal of Mexicans and the ecades-long cartel problem; Mexican screenwriter Héctor Guillén wrote on X in response: "Almost 500K dead and France decides to do a musical."
© Penske Media via Getty ImagesJacques Audiard directed the film and he was asked backstage why he had not spoken about anti-trans messaging and rhetoric, and he said: "Since I didn't win best film or director I had no opportunity to speak, but if I had that opportunity I would have spoken up."Jacques won Best Original Song along with Clement Ducol and Camille for "El Mar".
© Getty ImagesZoe won her first Oscar for her role in the controversial Netflix film, and she began her speech by thanking her mom as her voice cracked."My mom is here. My whole family is here. I am floored by this honor," she said.
"Thank you to the Academy for recognizing the quiet heroism and the power in a woman like Rita. And talking about powerful women: My fellow nominees, the love and community that you have offered me is a true gift, and I will pay it forward," she continued.
© John Angelillo/UPI/ShutterstockShe then honored her husband, quipping :"And to my husband with that beautiful hair, the biggest honor in my life is being your partner. You hung the moon in our beautiful, perfect sons, Cy, Bowie, and Zen, they fill our skies every night with stars."Zoe and Marco, 45, have been married since 2013 and share three sons: twins Cy and Bowie, 10, and youngest Zen, eight.
