Karla Sofía Gascón, the Spanish actress known for her role in the film "Emilia Pérez," has taken legal action against a far-right French politician, Marion Maréchal, for making transphobic comments in response to Gascón's win at the Cannes film festival.

Gascón, who transitioned in 2018 and played the lead character in the musical comedy directed by Jacques Audiard, received the Best Actress award at Cannes. The film debuted to an enthusiastic reception, with a nearly 10-minute standing ovation. It has been announced that Netflix will distribute the film in the United States, while the French distributor Pathé has secured an August 28 release in France.

However, Maréchal, a high-ranking member of the Reconquête party, made derogatory remarks about Gascón's gender identity in a post on X. Maréchal's comment that "It is therefore a man who receives the prize for female interpretation at Cannes" was met with strong criticism. Six LGBTQ+ advocacy groups lodged complaints against Maréchal on behalf of Gascón, citing a "transphobic insult."

In response, Gascón, the first trans woman to win the Cannes Best Actress prize, has opted to file a lawsuit, aiming to bring attention to the issue. Her attorney, Etienne Deshoulières, stated that Gascón hopes to give weight to the complaints made against Maréchal.

Under French law, Maréchal's "sexist insult related to gender identity" is punishable by a 3,750 euro fine, while a "transphobic insult" could result in a one-year imprisonment and a fine of 30,000 euros.

Maréchal, who is currently running for European Parliament, is the niece of Marine LePen, the leader of the National Front party. Maréchal's Reconquête party espouses far-right ideologies similar to the concept of the Spanish Reconquista, which represents the expulsion of Muslims from Spain.

The lawsuit filed by Gascón and the complaints from LGBTQ+ advocacy groups highlight the importance of addressing transphobic comments and promoting inclusivity in the entertainment industry. The incident serves as a reminder that progress can be hindered by discrimination, but individuals like Gascón are actively working to challenge and dismantle these harmful narratives.

Viewers can catch a glimpse of Gascón's powerful performance in the trailer for "Emilia Pérez" linked above, as anticipation continues to build for the film's release later this year.