Karla Sofía Gasón, the Oscar-nominated starlet of "Emilia Pérez," whose campaign ignited a firestorm during awards season when inflammatory tweets emerged, is poised to descend upon Venice this weekend to claim an accolade for Best International Actress. The honor, bestowed upon her as a Kinéo Award by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage in conjunction with the Kinéo Cultural Association, holds a special significance. Initiated in 2002 with a mission to elevate Italian cinema, this prestigious award boasts a unique distinction—it is "the only award voted by a vast audience" in tandem with ANEC, the association of cinemas, as per its official website. The illustrious list of past recipients encompasses legends such as Ennio Morricone, Milena Canonero, Susan Sarandon, Natalie Portman, Bernardo Bertolucci, Dante Ferretti, Alba Rohrwacher, Pier Francesco Favino, Giancarlo Giannini, Sienna Miller, Mads Mikkelsen, and more.
Last week, Gascón herself posted the exhilarating news on Instagram, while the event organizers officially announced the actress's attendance at a Saturday press conference, to be held at the luxurious Hotel Excelsior on the glamorous Lido. Joining her among the esteemed guests will be Aras Aydin, Monica Guerritore, Massimiliano Gallo, Tatiana Luter, and Cristiana Capotondi, all adding to the evening's stellar lineup.
This isn't Gascón's first attempt at a comeback following the awards season controversy. Recently, The Hollywood Reporter unveiled an exclusive first look at her latest venture, the 19th-century Spanish western "Trinidad," directed by Laura Alvea and José Ortuño. This English-language feature, filmed amidst the scenic Canary Islands but set predominantly in the United States, revolves around Gabriela Andrada as Trinidad, a woman who flees persecution in Spain for the untamed Wild West. Along her perilous journey, she garners fame for her prowess with firearms but also attracts the wrath of adversaries, notably the widow Bronson, portrayed with finesse by Gascón herself.
As she receives her prize amidst the bustling 82nd Venice Film Festival, it remains to be seen whether Gascón will grace the red carpets of any major movie premieres at Sala Grande, adding an extra layer of anticipation to an already eventful weekend.
