‘I had to push off Weinstein’
French actress Eva Green has revealed how she felt “shocked and disgusted” after an encounter with Harvey Weinstein culminated in her having to “push him off”.
The 37-year-old is the latest star to accuse the Hollywood producer of making an inappropriate advance.
Green, known for Casino Royale and Penny Dreadful, spoke out after her mother, Marle`ne Jobert, had earlier accused Weinstein of being a “horrible man” who targeted her daughter with promises of career success in return for sexual favours. Jobert claimed the film mogul had threatened to ban other directors from choosing her daughter if she spurned his advances.
Green told Variety about the alleged incident in 2010 or 2011. “I met him for a business meeting in Paris at which he behaved inappropriately and I had to push him off. I got away without it going further, but the experience left me shocked and disgusted. I have not discussed this before because I wanted to maintain my privacy, but I understand it is important to do so as I hear about other women’s experiences . . . I salute the great bravery of the women who have come forward. We should recognise that this sort of behaviour exists everywhere . . . The exploitation of power is ubiquitous. This behaviour is unacceptable and needs to be eliminated.”
Her allegation comes as British actress Lysette Anthony says she’s told police that Weinstein raped her in the 1980s. Anthony, of Hollyoaks, told the Sunday Times that Weinstein attacked her after showing up at her London home. It was reported last week that London police were investigating a rape allegation against him.
Dozens of women went public with accusations against Weinstein following reports by the New York Times and the New Yorker. Weinstein has denied any nonconsensual sexual conduct with any women.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced it was expelling the producer. Weinstein’s brother Bob says he’s in “a waking nightmare . . . I want him to get the justice he deserves”. — Telegraph Group Ltd, AP