‘Horrible actions’
MORE WEINSTEIN STORIES SURFACE AS FOCUS WIDENS
Movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was faced with more problems Wednesday as the fallout from explosive sex assault allegations continues.
WIFE LEAVES
On Wednesday, Weinstein made a desperate bid for public rehabilitation by saying he hoped to be reconciled with his wife.
The shamed Hollywood producer said he was receiving counselling for what he has described as his behavioural issues and that he hoped to be part of Georgina Chapman’s life again.
Weinstein spoke hours after Chapman said she was leaving him as a result of allegations from actresses and other women in the industry.
“My heart breaks for all the women who have suffered tremendous pain because of these unforgivable actions. I have chosen to leave my husband. Caring for my young children is my first priority and I ask the media for privacy at this time,” Chapman said in her statement. The couple have two children.
Weinstein in his statement said, “I support her decision. I am in counselling and perhaps when I am better we can rebuild.”
The swirl of accusations surrounding Weinstein has placed his estranged wife’s own business interests under scrutiny, with claims from the U.S. that he put pressure on actresses to wear outfits from her Marchesa range at premieres.
MODEL ACCUSES
Model and actress Cara Delevingne is joining the long list of Weinstein accusers. She said in a lengthy Instagram post that Weinstein brought up sexual subjects during more than one business meeting and also tried to get Delevingne to kiss a woman in front of him.
She said she did not participate and left the room. She said she subsequently appeared in a Weinstein Co. film and added that she “felt awful that I did the movie.”
Delevingne said in a second post Wednesday that abuse of women by powerful men happened in every industry. She urged victims to speak out.
WHO KNEW?
Attention is turning to the question of who knew about the film mogul’s behaviour.
A key and potentially volatile component of Tuesday’s New Yorker expose was the claim that “a culture of complicity” has existed at both The Weinstein Co. and his previous film company, the Walt Disney-owned Miramax. “Numerous people throughout the companies (were) fully aware of his behaviour but either abetting it or looking the other way,” the magazine reported.
The Weinstein Co. board of directors strongly denied that it knew about Weinstein’s behaviour. “These alleged actions are antithetical to human decency. These allegations come as an utter surprise to the board. Any suggestion that the board had knowledge of this conduct is false,” the board said in a statement. “We are committed to assisting with our full energies in all criminal or other investigations of these alleged acts, while pursuing justice for the victims and a full and independent investigation of our own.”
Michael Eisner, who was Disney’s chief executive during Harvey Weinstein’s tenure at Miramax, said he “had no idea he was capable of these horrible actions.” Disney purchased Miramax in 1993; the Weinstein brothers departed in 2005 to create the Weinstein Co.
“Fired (the) Weinsteins because they were irresponsible, and Harvey was an incorrigible bully,” said Eisner on Twitter.
IN DEFENCE
Actress Lindsay Lohan said she felt “very bad” for Weinstein. Lohan made the comments in a since-deleted Instagram video Tuesday. The video was captured by followers who posted it to social media. In it, she said that she had done several movies with Weinstein and he never harmed her.
BEN AFFLECK IN SPOTLIGHT
Actor Ben Affleck has been dragged into the uncomfortable spotlight with one actress accusing the Oscar-winning actor of groping her, and another alleging that Affleck covered up for Weinstein.
Affleck and Weinstein have a long history together: the producer gave Affleck and Matt Damon their big break when he backed their 1997 film Good Will Hunting, which won the pair their first Oscar.
One woman said on Twitter that Affleck had groped the host of MTV show TRL, during an appearance in 2003. “(Affleck) also grabbed Hilarie Burton’s breasts on TRL once. Everyone forgot though.” Burton replied: “I didn’t forget.”
Affleck tweeted an apology Wednesday: “I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize.”
Separately, actress Rose McGowan — who is one of at least eight women to have received a settlement from Weinstein for sexual harassment — attacked Affleck, calling him a liar and claiming he knew of Weinstein’s behaviour but remained silent.
When Affleck tweeted his condemnation of Weinstein, McGowan replied: “@ benaffleck ‘GODDAMNIT! I TOLD HIM TO STOP DOING THAT’ you said that to my face. The press conf I was made to go to after assault. You lie.”