Of Course Spain Celebrates ‘Emilia Pérez’s’ Goya Awards Win, Overlooking Racist Backlash and Oscar Controversy 

A Spanish award show rewarding a film clouded by controversy is hardly surprising. The Goya Awards, Spain’s highest honor in cinema, named Emilia Pérez the Best European Film, even as the film’s lead, Spanish actress Karla Sofía Gascón, faces backlash for past racist and homophobic social media posts. The controversy has damaged the film’s Oscar campaign, but in Spain, the issue was largely dismissed.  

Gascón, initially expected to attend, withdrew days before the ceremony, saying she did not want to harm the film’s chances. Yet, her resurfaced posts, filled with inflammatory language, have not been forgotten. 

The film, directed by Jacques Audiard, tells the story of a violent Mexican drug lord who transitions and seeks redemption. It was once a strong Oscar contender, with 13 nominations, including Gascón’s bid for Best Actress and a nomination for Best International Film. But as the backlash mounted, its path to Hollywood’s biggest stage became more uncertain. 

The Goya Awards’ decision to honor Emilia Pérez while sidestepping the controversy is so on-brand for them. After all, it is part of a broader pattern in Spain, where racism is frequently ignored or dismissed — especially when directed at Black and Latino communities. 

Spain’s Longstanding Racism

Spain’s refusal to confront racism is deeply embedded in its history. From its colonial past to its modern-day treatment of immigrants and Black Spaniards, the country has repeatedly failed to acknowledge its role in perpetuating racial discrimination. 

A 2023 report by the Open Society Foundations found that racism in Spain is systemic, affecting everything from job opportunities to police treatment. Even in sports, racism is rampant. Just a year ago, Real Madrid’s Vinícius Jr. was subjected to repeated racist abuse during La Liga matches, prompting global outrage and forcing FIFA to intervene. 

Spain’s film industry is no exception. Afro-Spaniards and Latinos are severely underrepresented on screen, and when their stories are told, they are often filtered through a European gaze. The decision to reward Emilia Pérez without reckoning with the issues surrounding its lead actress follows this pattern. The industry has once again protected its own while ignoring the very people it claims to represent. 

The Selena Gomez Backlash on ‘Emilia Perez’

While Spain brushes off the controversy, Selena Gomez, who plays a supporting role in Emilia Pérez, is facing backlash. Many people have called her out for being part of a project led by an actress accused of racism. Gomez does not deserve this level of scrutiny — she did not cast the film, nor was she responsible for Gascón’s past actions. However, she should have known better. The signs were there. 

Meanwhile, the Spanish film industry’s silence speaks volumes. Rather than addressing Gascón’s past remarks or acknowledging concerns, it has once again chosen to protect its own at the expense of those most affected by racism. Awarding Emilia Pérez was not a celebration of diversity. On the contrary, it was a reminder of how easily racism is excused when the perpetrator fits the right mold. 

Now, with a major Spanish award show celebrating a film tainted by controversy, the message remains the same: Some voices are forgiven, while others are silenced. But how much longer can Spain ignore its history of racism before it’s forced to reckon with it?