Harvey Weinstein, once the king of Hollywood, made more than 200 films, many of them critically acclaimed and box-office hits, including Pulp Fiction, Shakespeare in Love and more. His films have been described as culturally defining and he is considered an independent filmmaker as a champion of the art of filmmaking.
Starring Weinstein in a movie is every veteran and aspiring movie star’s dream, bringing prestige and legitimacy to the star’s career. He makes fantastic movies and campaigns and supports them — and his stars — fiercely during awards season.
But in addition to being a lead producer, Weinstein is also a convicted sex offender. Weinstein, who was at the top of Holywood Prison, is now languishing in jail, serving 23 years after being arrested and charged with rape in 2018 and convicted of two felonies in 2020.
Weinstein’s rise began in the ’70s as a successful concert producer. He soon founded the independent film company Miramax, distributing and producing small independent and arthouse films, not blockbusters but often critically acclaimed.
What followed was success after success, Miramax from 1989 to 2004, then The Weinstein Company from 2005 to 2017. In 2017, his board fired him after allegations of sexual abuse dating back to the late 1970s became public. according to.
More than 80 women have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment, misconduct and abuse. They include models, production assistants, and many of Hollywood’s top actresses, including Salma Hayek, Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, and more.
He sees rape and sexual abuse as interviews, or “side-in,” for many of the actresses who were considered for roles in his films. He arranged business meetings or auditions with women or actresses in productions, many from their own agents and his production company.
They would arrive in shock to see him naked in a robe, demand massages and oral sex, and proceed to attack. He would humiliate these women, threaten their careers, and force their silence through non-disclosure agreements.
For many, however, Weinstein’s narcissistic and antisocial behavior was only half the problem. He got away with the crime because those around him (and the industry in general) chose another way. His own staff, creatives, directors, actors, lawyers etc. were aware of his actions but never called him, did not help any of the victims, and did not report their suspicions to the authorities.
Harvey Weinstein fostered a culture of fear; yes, he had great artistic taste, but he was also a political ruler with politicians in his pocket to raise campaign money for them. He is unshakable and can make or break a career.
But in the end, Weinstein was able to get away with it for so long because of Holywood’s culture of silence about the casting couch and how the balance of power favored predatory men like him.
Directed by: Jane McMullen
