I don’t like Woody Allen but the film industry loves him, just like they did Weinstein. He’s a Hollywood giant with his cult films. His movies all seem to have a similar theme. Not the ‘strong women characters’ that I think Diane Keaton his ex-partner praised him for but inappropriate relationships. Much older men with just pubescent young girls. Ephebophilia is also a feature of his latest film, A Rainy Day In New York. The host of artists prepared to work with Allen on his movies only proves that Hollywood is not prepared to resolve the abuse of females in the industry. But we can. Their fame grows and so does their power unless we cut off the oxygen. So, we shouldn’t spend our money supporting people and projects that abuse women and girls.
Woody Allen
In A Rainy Day In New York, Jude Law plays a 44-year-old man in a relationship with a 15-year-old girl played by 19-year-old Elle Fanning. It’s not an exploratory film which will give us insight. It is the pattern of Woody Allen movies. In Husbands And Wives, a 56-year-old Allen pursues a 19-year-old girl. In the acclaimed Manhattan, a 42-year-old Allen dates a 17-year-old girl.
Given the reoccurring theme of Allen’s films since 1979, it should be no surprise that he was involved with the young Soon-Yi Previn who is 35 years his junior. She is also the daughter of his then long-term partner Mia Farrow. He has both affirmed and denied that he acted as a paternal figure to the young Soon-Yi.
Farrow broke off her relationship with Allen in 1992 following the discovery of Allen’s assignations with Soon-Yi. His intimacy with her began in the late 1980’s. Allen described it as a ‘fling’ that developed into a more significant relationship. Little wonder his response to the Weinstein story, was that it is essential to avoid ‘a witch hunt atmosphere.’
Child Abuse
Then there are the allegations of his daughter, Dylan Farrow. She wrote Woody Allen, had ‘groomed’ her with inappropriate touching as a young girl and sexually assaulted her when she was seven years old. Frank Maco Connecticut’s state attorney said at the conclusion of the 1993 investigation that he did not want to prosecute Allen to spare Dylan the trauma of a trial.
I don’t agree with suggestions that she made up the allegations because her father (Woody) was having sex with her older sister. I know it’s unfashionable, but I take the victim-centred approach. So, I believe Dylan, though society doesn’t believe women.
Hollywood
Throughout both scandals, Allen has remained a successful filmmaker. In 2014 Hollywood rewarded Woody Allen with the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement award. And Jude Law, Cate Blanchett, Alec Baldwin, and Diana Keaton are just a few of the famous who have queued up to work with Woody Allen.
And I have no respect for the actors, directors, PR, and others that surround and protect men like Woody Allen. Men who are not held to account.
So, I don’t like Woody Allen. And as I have previously written sexual assaults are a man’s problem. But if we stop spending our money on Woody Allen’s productions, if we remove the limelight that Hollywood types seek. If we dare to tell Hollywood, ‘this ain’t right’ then we can change it. There is nowt more sobering than failed box office and obscurity.
i’mjussayin
Connect with me on Twitter and Facebook
Editorial Policy: Use quotations from this article subject to a full credit of the source and a direct link to the article on imjussayin.com
Audio Version
This is so true, but people don’t vote with their feet. They’ll still go and see the films and support these people because society in general is very selfish. It’s sad!