Clooney says sexual cases a watershed moment for society
LOS ANGELES: Actor George Clooney has described the sexual harassment cases in Hollywood as a “watershed moment for society”.
During the premiere of his latest directorial foray, ‘Suburbicon', George Clooney once added his voice to the debate that is roiling Hollywood.
“What we hope is, this is a watershed moment for society where women feel safe enough to talk about this issue, feel believed and where men who are committing these crimes (and) violations don't feel safe and feel as if they do these things they're going to be outed, sued and may even get litigated and go to jail for it,” Clooney told reporters, referring to the wave of sexual harassment allegations made public against producer Harvey Weinstein and others including former Amazon chief Roy Price and director James Toback.
Added Clooney: “If we can get to that point then we actually succeeded. This thing won't end up just being Harvey Weinstein jokes in three months.”
Clooney also spoke out against Woody Allen who told the BBC that since the allegations against Weinstein have been made public Hollywood has created a “witch hunt atmosphere.” “That's a stupid thing to say,” said Clooney. He added: “The reality is it's not a witch hunt to these women who were trapped in a hotel room and told they were going to get a part and then suddenly here comes Harvey Weinstein in his birthday suit. That's an assault. It's not just Hollywood it's all of society and we're going to have to come to terms with it because we haven't yet.”
“I really do believe there is going to be major change,” added his ‘Surburbicon' star Matt Damon at the film's Los Angeles premiere.
Since the New York Times published an explosive expose on the disgraced movie mogul Harvey Weinstein on Oct 5 more and more victims of sexual harassment have been encouraged to speak out.
In addition, stars including Jessica Chastain, Brie Larson, Patricia Arquette, Judd Apatow, Seth Rogen have all spoken out in one way or another. Whether it's the use of social media including Alyssa Milano's # MeToo campaign, an interview setting or a premiere event to promote their latest project staying silent has not been an option.
On the sleazy Hollywood revelations, Clooney said: “It's infuriating and it's also infuriating when I read stories about reporters who did investigations and didn't print it for ten years. Then you go, “Why didn't you print that story? I would have liked to ( have) seen it. And I would like to know who brought actresses up to Harvey Weinstein's room and then left. I'd like to know that.”
His longtime friend and star of the film, Matt Damon remains optimistic about how these stories can bring change. Said the actor, “I really do believe there is going to be major change. There won't be this type of behaviour anymore.”
Damon hopes victims of these crimes speak out worldwide and not just in Hollywood.
He added, “To me, the message is that if somebody as powerful as Harvey can be brought down by this what we need is for it to filter all the way down to somebody who is a single mom and a waitress who is getting harassed while she's punching out (of work) and she's afraid to speak up because she's going to lose her job and she needs her job. What we need is for her to be able to say, ‘I'm allowed to speak up because this is wrong.' That's hopefully where this is going.”
Damon also pointed out the power of social media being used as a tool for victims to come forward against their abusers. Says Damon, “Social media has been great in the sense that these really brave women who stepped up first and who took that chance and made their voices heard allowed all of these other women to understand they're not alone. It's turning into this avalanche and that's what's needed.” DAME Julie Walters (above) wants to play a Bond villain.
The 67-year- old actress recently worked with Bond producer Barbara Broccoli on ‘Film Stars Don't Die In Liverpool' and Julie lobbied her for a role in the next film in the spy franchise.
She told Event magazine: “I told her I want to be the new Rosa Klebb (the villain in ‘From Russia With Love'). They should have a baddie woman.
“I'd love that. What accent would I use? Depends on the baddie – depends on the baddie. Maybe she should be from North Korea. Anyhow, I haven't heard back.”
Julie also revealed she was surprised by the news that there would be a ‘Mamma Mia!' sequel but was thrilled to get the chance to reunite with her castmates.
She said: “When they told me about that, I thought: but surely they've used up all the bloody songs? But they'd done another and it's really good. I love singing. And we had such a laugh on the first one.”
I told her I want to be the new Rosa Klebb (the villain in ‘From Russia With Love’). They should have a baddie woman. I’d love that. What accent would I use? Depends on the baddie – depends on the baddie. Maybe she should be from North Korea. Anyhow, I haven’t heard back. Julie Walters
Julie has a number of new films lined up including the ‘Paddington' sequel and ‘Mary Poppins' and insisted she has no plans to retire.
She said: “I wouldn't want to retire. I'm an actor, that's who I am. Yes, if I found myself with a year off, I'd love it. But I intend to keep working as long as I'm healthy.” — BANG Showbiz