Weinstein expelled from film academy
LOS ANGELES — Harvey Weinstein has been thrown out of the renowned arts organization that puts on the Oscars.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences voted to expel the film producer, known for popular films such as Pulp Fiction, Clerks and The Crying Game, after numerous allegations of sexual harassment against him.
The decision was made not just to separate the organization from Weinstein, 65, but also to “send a message that the era of wilful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behaviour and workplace harassment in our industry is over,” the academy said in a statement.
The academy honoured Weinstein’s Shakespeare in Love with its 1998 Best Picture award, as well as with the Best Actress award for Gwyneth Paltrow, who has since claimed she was harassed by Weinstein.
Weinstein has denied many of the allegations.
Weinstein Co. already fired its co-founder, and has denied a report it’s exploring a sale or shutdown.
Bob Weinstein, 62, who has taken over leadership of Weinstein Co., told the Hollywood Reporter on Saturday that he is questioning whether he should have done more in the face of the alleged abusive behaviour.
The younger Weinstein said he had no idea about “the type of predator” that his brother is accused of being, and that he should be expelled from the academy. “I want him to get the justice that he deserves,” he said.