Posted: 2017-10-10 01:57:27

Updated October 10, 2017 15:02:55

A number of powerful Hollywood figures have slammed Hollywood powerbroker Harvey Weinstein, criticising his behaviour and "abuse of power" after a New York Times exposé revealed allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

The fallout from the article saw Weinstein fired as co-chairman of the Weinstein Company, in a move that has been seen as a signal that Hollywood is moving to "drain the swamp" of men with bad behaviour.

But who has moved to criticise him? Here's who has spoken and who is yet to speak on the issue and why some believe Weinstein's behaviour was an "open secret" in Hollywood.

Who has made the allegations?

It all started when The New York Times published an exposé last week chronicling multiple allegations of sexual misconduct against Weinstein from past and present employees at both The Weinstein Co and Miramax.

Actresses Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan were among the women named.

Following the Times article, TV news anchor Lauren Sivan also lodged a claim of misconduct against Weinstein, saying he cornered her in the hallway of a restaurant in Manhattan in 2007, and masturbated in front of her.

The Times discovered Weinstein had reached eight settlements with women in the past 30 years after being confronted with allegations of sexual harassment.

Who has spoken out?

In the aftermath of the scandal, many, including Julianne Moore, Michael Keaton, Mark Ruffalo, Judd Apatow, America Ferrera and Lena Dunham, have voiced their support for his alleged victims.

"As always, I stand with the brave survivors of sexual assault and harassment. It's not your fault. I believe you," Brie Larson tweeted.

Dunham was also critical, saying men like Weinstein "threaten what you hold dear — your safety, financial freedom and, yes, career".

Stars like Meryl Streep and Judi Dench, whose movies had been championed by Weinstein, have also slammed the Hollywood producer after facing criticism for not speaking out about the allegations sooner.

Both said they were unaware of his decades of alleged sexual harassment of women.

"The disgraceful news about Harvey Weinstein has appalled those of us whose work he championed, and those whose good and worthy causes he supported," Streep told The Huffington Post.

"The intrepid women who raised their voices to expose this abuse are our heroes."

President Donald Trump weighed in on the fallout, telling reporters he was "not at all surprised to see" the allegations made against Weinstein.

Why has the focus only been on women?

Among those of Weinstein's associations who have spoken out, the majority of responders have been women.

Many figures, particularly Hollywood women, were under pressure to speak out sooner about the allegations.

Now that they have come out, many have implored a stronger reaction from male stars and industry leaders.

Of the men to speak out, director Kevin Smith — whose movies Clerks and Chasing Amy were produced by Weinstein — made a particularly striking statement, as he noted on Twitter that the producer financed the first 14 years of his career.

"Now I know while I was profiting, others were in terrible pain," Smith wrote.

"It makes me feel ashamed."

Who hasn't spoken out?

While some of Weinstein's associates have spoken out about his behaviour, other respected Hollywood actors and actresses have been criticised for remaining silent.

Among those who have yet to release a statement are Nicole Kidman (Lion), Matt Damon (Good Will Hunting), Ben Affleck (Good Will Hunting), Russell Crowe (Cinderella Man), Renee Zellweger (Chicago), Gwyneth Paltrow (The Pallbearer and Emma), Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained), Cate Blanchett (Carol), and Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook).

That's despite all having starred in Weinstein films and many thanking him during their acceptance speeches.

Was this Hollywood's worst-kept secret?

Following on from Mr Trump's comments, it has been pointed out that Weinstein's alleged sexual misconduct had been an "open secret" in Hollywood.

The director of upcoming drama film Lady Bird, Greta Gerwig, told AP the news "makes me really sad and it makes me really depressed but not surprised".

"What can you say? I really admire Ashley Judd. It's scary to do," she said.

Kate Winslet, who won an Oscar for The Weinstein Co's The Reader, also implied that there had been rumours about this issue for some time.

"I had hoped that these kind of stories were just made-up rumours, maybe we have all been naïve," Winslet wrote in a statement.

Some television shows even went as far as referencing his behaviour in various skits throughout the years.

The character of Harvey Weingard on HBO TV series Entourage is widely thought to have been inspired by Weinstein himself.

In the show Weinstein is portrayed as an intimidating and aggressive man who everyone is afraid of.

Hit comedy series 30 Rock also took a shot at Weinstein in an episode that aired in 2012, when Jane Krakowski's character Jenna named the producer in a joke about not taking advantage of actresses.

"'Oh please, I'm not afraid of anyone in show business,'" she said on the show.

"I turned down intercourse with Harvey Weinstein on no less than three occasions … out of five."

Does Hollywood have a problem with sexual assault?

It's not the first time Hollywood has been rocked with sexual assault allegations.

One of the most high-profile of these cases was comedian Bill Cosby, when 33 women made allegations against him in incidents spanning a number of decades.

Similar cases have also been made against two film writers, Devin Faraci and Harry Knowles, who have links to American cinema chain The Alamo Drafthouse.

Cinefamily, a popular independent cinema venue in Los Angeles, temporarily shut down after reports of sexual assault and rape from high-profile members of the organisation.

Topics: arts-and-entertainment, film-movies, law-crime-and-justice, crime, sexual-offences, united-states

First posted October 10, 2017 12:57:27

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