‘Emilia Pérez’ Claims Major Victories at European Film Awards

In a stunning display of cinematic excellence, *Emilia Pérez*, directed by Jacques Audiard, swept the 37th European Film Awards held in Lucerne, Switzerland, on Saturday night. This Spanish-language transgender musical showcased a powerful narrative and garnered prestigious accolades, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay for Audiard himself.

Karla Sofía Gascón, who portrays the lead character in *Emilia Pérez*, made history by winning the Best Actress award, becoming the first transgender performer to achieve this honor. During her heartfelt acceptance speech, Gascón expressed her disbelief at winning, saying, "I didn’t prepare anything because I was sure I wasn’t going to receive anything tonight." She dedicated her award to mothers everywhere, using her platform to highlight the essential roles families play and the challenges LGBTQ+ individuals face. “Unfortunately, in this world, there are families that prefer their children be criminals than gay people,” she remarked passionately.

Jacques Audiard, while accepting his awards, honored the late French-Danish actor Niels Arestrup, his frequent collaborator, and urged unity among filmmakers across Europe. "All of us here in this room are so lucky to be making films in Europe,” he stated, advocating for greater governmental support for the cinema industry across the continent.

*Emilia Pérez* is also France's official submission for the upcoming Academy Awards in the Best International Feature category, showcasing its potential to make waves on a global stage. Gascón’s performance is being widely recognized, and the film is anticipated to contend for multiple Oscars, including possible nods for supporting actors Zoe Saldaña and Selena Gomez.

In an inspiring moment, Guinean actor Abou Sangare received the Best Actor award for his role in *Souleymane’s Story*, a film exploring the struggles of an African immigrant in Paris. Meanwhile, political commentary surfaced at the event when Palestinian actress Hiam Abbass urged the audience to remember the children of Gaza, reflecting a desire for artists to leverage their platforms for meaningful dialogue during such complex times.

The documentary *No Other Land*, which addresses the Israeli government’s treatment of Palestinians, won Best Documentary, with co-directors taking the opportunity to speak out against ongoing violence in Gaza while accepting their award via Zoom. Their statements on the humanitarian crisis highlighted the importance of raising awareness through art.

The ceremony also celebrated various genres and styles, with *Flow*, a Latvian animated feature about an apocalypse-driven adventure, winning Best Animated Feature. Croatian filmmaker Nebojsa Slijepcevic won Best Short Film for *The Man Who Could Not Remain Silent*, while Norwegian director Halfdan Ullmann Tøndel claimed the European Discovery award for *Armand*.

Iconic director Wim Wenders received the European Lifetime Achievement Award and used his acceptance speech to advocate for European cinema's strength, humorously referencing the political climate by contrasting his present honor with past U.S. presidential dynamics. Additionally, Isabella Rossellini was celebrated for her achievements in world cinema, with Ralph Fiennes paying tribute to her influential cinematic legacy.

In summary, the 2023 European Film Awards showcased not just impressive artistic achievements, but also highlighted the capacity of film to engage with social issues, urge for change, and connect communities across Europe and beyond. With the Academy Awards on the horizon, the spotlight on *Emilia Pérez* and its groundbreaking performances is sure to continue.