Stars voice anger over revelations about Weinstein
NEW YORK: Movie legends Meryl Streep and Judi Dench led a chorus of outrage on Monday following the revelation that Harvey Weinstein had sexually harassed women for decades, as Hollywood stood accused of covering up a pattern of misconduct that finally cost the film mogul his job.
Weinstein was fired on Sunday from his own film studio, three days after a bombshell New York Times report alleged that the Oscar-winning producer behind such hits as The King’s Speech and The Artist had preyed on young women hoping to break into the film industry. Weinstein’s accusers, who reportedly include celebrities such as Rose McGowan and Ashley Judd, say the 65-year-old tycoon had promised to help advance their careers in exchange for sexual favours.
The Weinstein Company’s board said it sacked him “in light of new information about misconduct” in the Times article, which detailed decades of legal settlements stemming from harassment allegations.
A string of industry figures have condemned Weinstein, including actors Seth Rogan, Lena Dunham and Patricia Arquette, director James Gunn and producer Judd Apatow.
Streep, who famously called Weinstein “God” in an Oscars acceptance speech, broke her silence in a statement published by the Huffington Post, in which she said she was “appalled” by the “disgraceful” news and insisted “not everybody” knew about the allegations.
“I don’t believe that all the investigative reporters... would have neglected for decades to write about it.”
Fellow Oscar winner Judi Dench, who credited much of her success to Weinstein, told Newsweek she was “horrified” and denied any knowledge of the accusations.
George Clooney called Weinstein’s behaviour “indefensible”, saying he had heard rumours starting in the 1990s about women sleeping with Weinstein in exchange for acting roles, but that he had dismissed them as ploys to dismiss the actresses’ talent.
The Times wrote that of the more than 40 entertainment industry players it contacted for comment after breaking the story last week, almost all refused to speak on the record. AFP