Seismic shift in harassment row – Hanks
TOM Hanks has said there will be a “specific and seismic shift” in Hollywood as a result of the sexual harassment scandal that has rocked the industry.
The Oscar-winning actor, who will soon be seen playing legendary Washington Post editor Ben Bradlee in Steven Spielberg’s new film The Post, added there is “a reckoning going on” and “a Rubicon has been crossed”.
Referring to Sunday’s Golden Globes ceremony, when the attendees wore black to stand in solidarity with the victims of sexual assault, Hanks told the Press Association: “It was a big deal. We kick off on this fabulous carousel of awards shows and because the Golden Globes is the first one and there is alcohol involved, it has a whole different sense.
“More often than not it’s just a goofy party with this kind of pancake breakfast element of ‘who is going to win the colour TV?’ so there is excitement when the winners are announced and what have you, but I have never been in the room that was as specifically focused on one complete and involving sea change in regards to the industry.
“There is always politics, there is always a lot of preaching to the choir, there are always jokes about what goes on. But no, the time’s up element to this, this is not a joke and there is a reckoning that is going on and I would probably say that last week’s award show is the first of a new era and there is a new era, a Rubicon has been crossed.
“You will see specific and seismic shift in literally the proportion of women who are now going to be running things.”