Academy mulls expulsion
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to discuss kicking out Harvey Weinstein amid mounting sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations.
LOS ANGELES: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences was due to hold an emergency session to discuss kicking out Harvey Weinstein amid mounting sexual harassment, assault and rape accusations.
An avalanche of claims have surfaced since the publication last week of an explosive New York Times report alleging a history of abusive behaviour dating back decades.
On Thursday, American actress Rose McGowan became the fourth woman to accuse the 65-year-old of raping her.
The Academy issued a statement describing the nature of the allegations as “repugnant, abhorrent, and antithetical” to its standards ahead of the meeting of its 54-member board of governors.
The Academy is not expected to hold a news conference after the meeting but said it would release a statement on the proceedings.
The Producers Guild of America will also meet to “consider disciplinary proceedings and the status of his membership”, a source close to the union said.
Since the outbreak of the scandal, several actresses including Mira Sorvino, Rosanna Arquette, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie and Lea Seydoux have said they were sexually harassed by the producer.
Weinstein was seen in public for the first time in days when paparazzi descended upon him as he left his daughter’s home in Los Angeles on Wednesday.
“Guys, I’m not doing OK but I’m trying,” he said in a video obtained by ABC. “I got to get help. You know what, we all make mistakes.”
As he climbed into an oversized sports utility vehicle, he said he hoped people would give him “a second chance”.
Celebrity gossip portal TMZ reported that Weinstein later flew to rehab in Arizona, possibly at The Meadows.
Weinstein appears to have garnered little sympathy from the public, however, according to a survey conducted by celebrity branding expert and best-selling author Jeetendr Sehdev.
Some 82% of 2,000 people questioned as part of an ongoing study into American attitudes to celebrity and entertainment said he should be kicked out of the Academy.
“It’s critical for the Academy to show a zero tolerance policy towards the heinous and vile allegations against Weinstein. They need to strip him of his membership immediately,” Sehdev said.
With the Academy’s image already damaged over the 2016 “Oscars so white” controversy over the lack of racial diversity among acting nominees, it can’t be seen to be supporting a “serial sexual predator”, he added.
Hollywood, too, has largely turned its back on Weinstein, with just veteran filmmaker Oliver Stone and fashion designer Donna Karan offering any words of support.
While Stone merely warned against Weinstein being “condemned by a vigilante system”, Karan went further, triggering outrage when she suggested women had been seeking a reaction from Weinstein by dressing provocative-
I got to get help. You know what, we all make mistakes.
Harvey Weinstein