Academy code ‘a strong symbol’

Oscar’s governing body has the power to suspend or expel offending members

TORONTO Canadian filmmaker Deepa Mehta always thought it was wrong that there was no code of conduct for members of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the body that oversees the Oscars, especially when it came to sexual misconduct.

“It was an unspoken thing that it will be tolerated, and really perhaps nobody (would) believe the women,” said the writer and director of the Oscar-nominated Water, herself an academy member.

“The atmosphere was one of, even though personally you might not tolerate it, there were no consequences.”

That changed on Wednesday when the academy announced its first code of conduct for its 8,427 members, one that states its board may now suspend or expel those who violate the code or who “compromise the integrity” of the organization.

Mehta called it an “excellent” move that will raise awareness “that this kind of abhorrent behaviour will not be tolerated and has consequences.” There’s something that Gloria Steinem said: ‘The truth will set you free, but before it does it will piss you off,’ and I think that’s where we are at,” Mehta said.

“It’s probably pissing off a lot of men, but it’s essential and I’m sorry, you have to wear it.”

The code comes after the academy expelled producer Harvey Weinstein in October.

It says members must “behave ethically by upholding the academy’s values of respect for human dignity, inclusion, and a supportive environment that fosters creativity.”

“There is no place in the academy for people who abuse their status, power or influence in a manner that violates recognized standards of decency,” it says.

“The academy is categorically opposed to any form of abuse, harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, disability, age, religion or nationality.”

Toronto-based sound editor Jane Tattersall said a code of conduct seemed an obvious move — but a necessary one.

“I thought, ‘I hope you wouldn’t tolerate this behaviour anyway, but why not be specific about it? It doesn’t do you any service to not say these words, not to put in writing that this is wrong,’” said Tattersall, who became an academy member this year. A code of conduct sends a message that “a lot of behaviour has been tacitly allowed to continue for many years and this will be the beginning of the end of it,” Tattersall said.

“So I think it’s a symbol, but I think it’s a very strong symbol.”

Also applauding the move is the union representing Canada’s performers, ACTRA, which is working with other stakeholders on an industry-wide code of conduct