By Edward Baillargeon
In October 2017, The New York Times and The New Yorker have reported that dozens of women accused film producer and co-founder of Miramax Films and The Weinstein Company, Harvey Weinstein, of sexually harassing, assaulting, or raping them. If you don’t know who Harvey Weinstein is, he is a producer that has worked on several notable movies including Scream, Shakespeare in Love, Gangs of New York, The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Chicago, and Sin City, & is a frequent producing partner of Quentin Tarantino, the acclaimed director of Pulp Fiction, Reservoir Dogs, Kill Bill, Inglourious Basterds, Django Unchained, and The Hateful Eight.
These kinds of incidents have been happening for nearly three decades when Weinstein harassed production assistants, employees, and actresses who were starring in films by The Weinstein Company and Miramax Films.
Rumors have spread around during the early 2010’s a couple of times such as in an episode of 30 Rock where one character said “I’m not afraid of anyone in show business, I turned down intercourse with Harvey Weinstein on no less than three occasions, out of five.”
And at the announcement of the nominations at the 85th Academy Awards when Family Guy creator and host Seth MacFarlane joked when announcing the nominees for Best Supporting Actress: “Congratulations, you five ladies no longer have to pretend to be attracted to Harvey Weinstein.”
On October 10, 2017, NBC News correspondent Ronan Farrow reported that Weinstein has sexually assaulted 13 women and raped 3. Former colleagues and collaborators of Weinstein told reporters that these activities were enabled by employees, associates and agents who set up these meetings, and lawyers and publicists who suppressed complaints with payments and threats. Several notable actresses that have worked with Weinstein and accused him include Kate Beckinsale, Cara Delevingne, Eva Green, Angelina Jolie, Léa Seydoux, and Gwyneth Paltrow.
Since then, executives at The Weinstein Company decided to terminate his employment and are potentially thinking about renaming the studio. His wife Georgina Chapman announced that she was divorcing with him. Several companies also decided to end their collaborations with the studio including Apple, Hachette, and Amazon. Walt Disney Pictures also announced that they have terminated Harvey Weinstein as a producer from their upcoming adaptation of Artemis Fowl, co-produced by The Weinstein Company.
His memberships from the British Academy Film and Television Arts (BAFTAs) and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (Academy Awards) have been suspended and terminated, with the later revealing their statement on the issue that they will “send a message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior and workplace harassment in our industry is over.”
Several figures in entertainment and politics condemned him for his actions including Barack and Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Meryl Streep, and Kate Winslet.
Comedian Seth Rogen tweeted “I believe all the women coming forward about Harvey Weinstein’s sexual harassment. It takes bravery to do so.”
Actor George Clooney called Harvey’s actions “indefensible”. The songwriter of Hamilton and Moana, Lin-Manuel Miranda stated “I’m as appalled and repulsed by the Weinstein news as anyone with a beating heart. And forever in awe of the bravery of those who spoke out.”
Dane DeHaan, the star of A Cure for Wellness and Valerian and the City of a Thousand Planets, tweeted “I support all the incredibly strong women who spoke up about Harvey Weinstein’s disgusting behavior.”
Oscar winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio stated “There is no excuse for sexual harassment or sexual assault–no matter who you are and no matter what profession.”
