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Streep expresses dismay at Weinstein abuse allegations

Tuesday 10 October 2017

The Independent

 

World

Streep expresses dismay at Weinstein abuse allegations

The actress said she had no knowledge of the accusations against the film producer
(Getty)
in San Francisco

Two of Hollywood’s most acclaimed actresses condemned and distanced themselves yesterday from producer Harvey Weinstein’s alleged history of sexual abuse, saying they were unaware of his actions, despite years of working with him.

Meryl Streep and Judi Dench, both venerated performers who have worked with Mr Weinstein, said in statements that they had no knowledge of the producer’s alleged abuses.

In the days since the New York Times revealed decades of sexual harassment accusations against Mr Weinstein, an influential hitmaker behind a string of major critical and box office successes, numerous stars have publicly assailed him. His attorney rejected many of the claims of harassment as “patently false”.

While calling the news “disgraceful” and saying she was “appalled”, Ms Streep disavowed knowing of Mr Weinstein’s “inexcusable” conduct.

But amid the fallout of the New York Times report Mr Weinstein said he was taking a leave of absence from his company. Days before his sacking, he issued an apology after claims were made by women with whom he had worked, including Ashley Judd, although he has not directly addressed the allegations himself.

Representatives for Mr Weinstein, a long-time backer of the Democrats in the US, also made legal threats against the New York Times in the wake of its allegations, with one of his legal team claiming the newspaper's report was “saturated with false and defamatory statements”.

People have responded to the Times report by claiming that rumours of Mr Weinstein’s behaviour were commonplace. Times media critic Jim Rutenberg wrote that it was “‘the worst-kept secret’ in Hollywood and New York”.

Dame Judi said in a statement: “Whilst there is no doubt that Harvey Weinstein has helped and championed my film career for the past twenty years, I was completely unaware of these offenses which are, of course, horrifying."

Streep said: “One thing can be clarified. Not everybody knew. Harvey supported the work fiercely, was exasperating but respectful with me in our working relationship, and with many others with whom he worked professionally." 

Referencing allegations described in the Times report, she added,  “I didn’t know about these other offences: I did not know about his financial settlements with actresses and colleagues; I did not know about his having meetings in his hotel room, his bathroom, or other inappropriate, coercive acts”.

"And if everybody knew, I don't believe that all the investigative reporters in the entertainment and the hard news media would have neglected for decades to write about it", the statement said.

Streep previously joked that Weinstein was “God” in an award acceptance speech.

Other entertainment industry luminaries also praised Weinstein's accusers for coming forward. Actor Mark Ruffalo slammed a “disgusting abuse of power”, and actress Emmy Rossum wrote that “DECADES of using power to intimidate women for sexual gain is reprehensible and inexcusable”.

“Heed the mantra and never forget: Women. Have. Nothing. To. Gain. And. Everything. To Lose. By. Coming. forward”, Actress, writer and director Amber Tamblyn said on Twitter.

And rather than confine their criticism to Mr Weinstein, numerous entertainers said the episode illuminated a toxic industry culture of silence around abuse toward women. Fresh off the Boat star Constance Wu said on Twitter that confronting rampant sexism was difficult because “if u address it seriously, u get: ‘relax it was a joke’”.

Emma Thompson has also commented, telling the BBC: “We need to talk about how we're behaving. Male predatory behaviour is everywhere, not just in the film industry.

“Speaking out is the only way we'll tackle it. Let's support those women who don't have the confidence to speak out."

Weinstein's brother Bob was instrumental in his dismissal from the company, which they founded together in 2005.

A statement from The Weinstein Company Board of Representatives said over the weekend: “In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company – Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar – have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately.”