Canadian is making new Weinstein doc
Canadian filmmaker Barry Avrich is working on a new film that would tackle the allegations of sexual harassment and assault against Harvey Weinstein and others.
Avrich, who made the 2011 documentary Unauthorized: The Harvey Weinstein Project, says he didn’t know about the accusations when he wrote, directed and produced that film.
“At the end of the day, I feel that I made a film about a man that I found incredibly passionate, fascinating and intriguing, and I didn’t get the whole story and I feel cheated,” Avrich said. “I knew there was a dark side. I didn’t know there was that dark side and I feel that it’s important to tell the whole story.”
Avrich has already started filming and said he’s spoken with some victims and has taken out an ad in Hollywood trade magazines asking more to come forward to be interviewed.
In other Weinstein news Wednesday, a new New York Times report said that Lena Dunham warned Hillary Clinton’s communications director about rape allegations against Weinstein.
Magazine editor Tina Brown also said she cautioned the Clinton campaign about Weinstein.
Weinstein was a significant contributor to Democratic candidates and helped fundraise for Clinton.
The Times also reported Wednesday on a lawsuit filed by six women in New York against Weinstein, claiming his actions to cover up assaults amounted to civil racketeering. The lawsuit claims a coalition of companies and people became part of the growing “Weinstein Sexual Enterprise” and worked with Weinstein to conceal his widespread sexual harassment and assaults.
Meanwhile, Weinstein’s former personal assistant, Sandeep Rehal, said that as part of her job, she provided him with erectile dysfunction medication and stocked an apartment with women’s lingerie. She said she too plans to sue Weinstein, alleging sexual harassment.