One of the most influential figures in American filmmaking – Harvey Weinstein – is forced to suspend his successful career because of a scandal in which he was involved.
Film producer, had a hand in creation of such films as «Lord of the rings,» «the King speaks!» «Shakespeare in love» (which he, incidentally, has received «Oscar»), two paintings by Martin Scorsese and almost all tapes of Quentin Tarantino, accused of years of sexual harassment in relation to subordinate colleagues.
An employee of the company Weinstein spoke about the harassment of the boss
Two years ago, Lauren O’connor, an employee of The Weinstein Company, founded by brothers Winstanly in 2005, was sent to several officials of the film company a letter in which he accused his boss in the assault.
Moreover, she mentioned that she was not the only victim of Harvey. Lauren was involved in the selection of actors, and often after Weinstein conducted interviews in his hotel room with young Actresses he had directed them to O’connor.
After receiving the letter, Lauren, lance Mayors, occupying a high position in the company, suggested to invite a specialist, that understood the veracity of the charges O’connor.
But apparently, Weinstein managed to agree with her because next week Lauren withdrew his complaint.
The scandal is gaining momentum: the journalists of the NYTimes investigated
However, the story does not end there. The incident attracted the attention of journalists The New York Times, which conducted its own investigation. Their findings were described in an article published this week.
After talking with the staff of the film company Weinstein and workers of the film industry, after reviewing the documentation The Weinstein Company and Miramax Films (its founders were also Weinstein) and going «on the trail» of the alleged victims Harvey, journalists came to the conclusion that he had indeed abused his position, sticking to subordinates.
According to The New York Times, this continued for the last thirty years. Victims Weinstein became Actresses, models, assistants and other workers of the company at the age of 20 to 40 years.
The victim Weinstein and how he tried to outsmart them
Known even the names of some of them: actress Ashley Judd (Weinstein produced the painting «Kiss the girls» in which she played the main female role), actress rose McGowan (Harvey crossed paths with her on the set of «Scream»), assistant Zelda Perkins (now it is producing a theatrical production in London), Italian model Amber Battilana.
Harvey had always acted according to the same scheme. He invited his victims to discuss business issues over lunch at the hotel, but he was not out of the room and asked the hotel staff to say to girls rose to him.
Weinstein opened the door for them, standing in a Bathrobe and offered to do the massage and watch her in the shower. Some have gotten even more blatant offers with promises of career advancement.
Most often this occurred in hotels the Peninsula Beverly Hills (Los Angeles), Savoy (London), Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (near Cannes) and Stein Eriksen Lodge (Park city, Utah, where the Sundance film festival).
Why is this not mentioned earlier?
As a rule, if he refused and threatened to file a complaint, Weinstein bought off with monetary compensation in exchange for silence. For example, rose McGowan received $100,000. Was what Weinstein paid less – $80,000; there were those who more – $150,000.
Meanwhile, the companies reigned tacit acceptance of the situation for granted. Signing a contract with The Weinstein Company and Miramax Films, the staff signed up under, that they are not allowed to «wash dirty linen in public», if it can damage the reputation of the company.
The reaction Weinstein: apologizes, but is suing the publication for libel
The reaction of Harvey Weinstein in the controversial article was not long in coming. He was sent to the editor of The New York Times a letter in which he apologized before the colleagues and said that he regretted the incident.
«I consider that the way I behaved with my colleagues in the past, caused a lot of pain, and I sincerely apologize for that,» writes Weinstein.
He also added that visits the therapist decided to temporarily leave the companyto understand with the arisen difficulties.
«A year ago I started to create five million Fund to provide scholarships to women Directors as the southern California University. This may seem like a coincidence, but it works for a year. He will be named in honor of my mother, and I will not disappoint her,» the paragraph ended with a letter to Weinstein.
But at the same time, the producer promised to address in court, demanding from $50 million in compensation for defamation, according to Page Six. To this end, he hired lawyer Charles Harder, who won Hulk Hogan vs the online tabloid Gawker Media, who published an intimate video recording involving famous wrestler and wife of his friend.
Weinstein is not the only one who leaves the company
Amid the scandal about the harassment, three members of the Board of The Weinstein Company – investor Dirk Ziff, Executive Director of investment firm Avenue Capital Group Marc Lasry and Deputy Executive Director of the digital company Technicolor ‘s Tim Sarnoff has resigned.
The reaction of Hollywood: the voices of victims of harassment and their supporters
Article on Weinstein was forced to speak not only himself, but other figures of Hollywood, including Actresses rose McGowan, brie Larson, the writer Stephanie Mickus and film producer Keith Calder, who shared their thoughts in social networks. Ashley Judd didn’t say a word, but did repost the article The New York Times.
This is about a power structure that needs to be brought down. I cannot thank the women who came forward & the boss writers at #NYT enough
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 7, 2017
«We are talking about a powerful structure that you need to break. I am very grateful to the women who responded, and reporters of The New York Times».
As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It’s not your fault. I believe you.
— Brie Larson (@brielarson) October 5, 2017
«As always, I support the brave victims of sexual violence and harassment. It’s not your fault. I believe you.»
I took meetings at Weinstein. With other female execs. But every single time I’d hear “as long as you aren’t meeting with Harvey, you’ll be fine.” That’s our reality.
— Stephanie Mickus (@smickable) October 5, 2017
«I had a meeting with Weinstein. Together with other women working in the company. But every time I heard «until you see Harvey, you’re gonna be okay.» This is our reality».
Just flipped through some contracts to make sure I’m legally allowed to say Harvey Weinstein is the worst person in the film business.
— Keith Calder (@keithcalder) September 5, 2017
«Just flipped through the contacts list to be sure in their ability legally to say that Harvey Weinstein – the worst person in the movie business».
The woman who chose to speak about their experience of harassment by Harvey Weinstein deserve our awe. It’s not fun or easy. It’s brave.
— Lena Dunham (@lenadunham) October 5, 2017
«Women who made the choice to talk about their experiences of harassment on the part of Harvey Weinstein deserve our reverence. It’s not fun or easy. It’s bold».
How many Harvey’s do you think there are? Just take a guess.
— Lexi Alexander (@Lexialex) October 5, 2017
«How, in your opinion, is there such Harvey Vistanow? Just guess».
When did you meet YOUR Harvey Weinstein? I’ll go first: I was a 17-yr-old co-op student and he insisted on massaging my shoulders as I typed
— Anne T. Donahue (@annetdonahue) October 5, 2017
«When you met your Harvey Weinstein? Be the first: I was a 17-year-old student when he insisted to massage my shoulders when I type».
The reaction of politicians: money Weinstein to give to charity
To speak wished and policies. For example, some Senate Democrats, receiving charitable contributions from Weinstein, decided to donate these funds to organizations and foundations that support women.
Among them was the Senator from Vermont Patrick Leahy, took Weinstein $5,600, the Senator from new Mexico Martin Heinrich ($5,400), the Senator from Connecticut Richard Blumenthal ($5,400), the Senator from new Jersey Cory Booker ($7,800) and the Senator from Massachusetts Elizabeth Warren ($5,000).
Sean Spicer, the former press Secretary of the White house, published in his Twitter the list of those Democrats who received money from Weinstein. At that time most of them left the money with him.
Graphic of all @TheDemocrats who took & are keeping #HarveyWeinstein money — even more stunning is their silence h/t @gop pic.twitter.com/UUEQdEH3Gs
— Sean Spicer (@seanspicer) October 6, 2017
Soon, however, their ranks thinned: the Senator from Minnesota Alan Franken (received $19,800) and the senior Senator from new York Chuck Schumer (received $16,200) also decided to give the money to charity.
Trump, Obama, and Hillary Clinton
Known and the opinion of Donald trump. He made the comment to reporters CNN and NBC News.
JUST IN: Trump on Harry Weinstein: I’ve known him a long time, I’m not surprised. pic.twitter.com/Q7zil4l1e9
— Peter Alexander (@PeterAlexander) October 7, 2017
«This just in: trump on Harvey Weinstein: «I know him a long time, and I’m not surprised»».
.@potus just said «not at all surprised» by the Harvey Weinstein comments.
I asked him how that was different from Access Hollywood tape
— Elizabeth Landers (@ElizLanders) October 7, 2017
«The President just gave a comment that «not entirely surprised», talking about Harvey Weinstein. I asked him how this differs from the video Access Hollywood [where the conversation recorded trump and broadcaster bill Bush, which the future President admitted that he tried to seduce a married woman]».
Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama, presidential campaign, which is generously sponsored by Weinstein, still silent.
Whose side is Hillary Clinton on: Harvey Weinstein»s or his victims?
— Ronna McDaniel (@GOPChairwoman) October 7, 2017
«Whose side Hillary Clinton: Harvey Weinstein or his victims?»
