[Film] Harvey Weinstein’s Downfall

[Vulgar Bulgar]

Harvey ((Weinstein))

Mel Gibson was right about the chosen people.

[Ifreann]

Your brain is truly a place of wonder.

---

Yeah, I guessed from the "studios" bit. But I'm not interested in covering up sexual assault in tech giants, so I'm not going to oppose an FBI investigation.

How's that?

Well if I presented evidence of malfeasance in every studio, you still would oppose an investigation, while hounding electricall contractors seems to be your direction.

If you have evidence of criminal behaviour you should take it to the police. If you're going to argue that thousands and thousands of people should be subject to investigation for working in the same industry as a criminal then I'm probably going to carry on pointing out that every industry has had criminals. You're the one who mentioned electrical contracting in the first place.

I weep for the poles.

What?

[Ethel mermania]

Well if I presented evidence of malfeasance in every studio, you still would oppose an investigation, while hounding electricall contractors seems to be your direction.

If you have evidence of criminal behaviour you should take it to the police. If you're going to argue that thousands and thousands of people should be subject to investigation for working in the same industry as a criminal then I'm probably going to carry on pointing out that every industry has had criminals. You're the one who mentioned electrical contracting in the first place.

I weep for the poles.

What?

It's the pattern of criminal behavior within the industry that prompts the investigation. And I think we proved the pattern.

ElectircAL joke, don't be negative about it

[Ifreann]

If you have evidence of criminal behaviour you should take it to the police. If you're going to argue that thousands and thousands of people should be subject to investigation for working in the same industry as a criminal then I'm probably going to carry on pointing out that every industry has had criminals. You're the one who mentioned electrical contracting in the first place.

What?

It's the pattern of criminal behavior within the industry that prompts the investigation. And I think we proved the pattern.

A pattern of people in power abusing their power. Know where there are people in power? Everywhere.

[Ethel mermania]

It's the pattern of criminal behavior within the industry that prompts the investigation. And I think we proved the pattern.

A pattern of people in power abusing their power. Know where there are people in power? Everywhere.

Agreed. However usually some form of activity is required for an investigation. Mob control of unions, or pricing collusions, patterns of drug abuse. I think this bar exists and in the entertainment industry has been crossed. If I understand you right, the bar does not exist, and investigation is on a specific case by case basses or not at all.

[Farnhamia]

Harvey ((Weinstein))

Mel Gibson was right about the chosen people.

*** 7 day ban for trolling ***because making it two parens instead of three isn't fooling anyone.

[Nakena]

This is a good read on the matter:

http://deadline.com/2017/10/scott-rosen ... 202189525/

[Ethel mermania]

This is a good read on the matter:

http://deadline.com/2017/10/scott-rosen ... 202189525/

Pretty much spot on. Thanks

[Shofercia]

This is a good read on the matter:

http://deadline.com/2017/10/scott-rosen ... 202189525/

An amazing explanation, thank you for the link.

So, uh, yeah. We need to talk about Harvey. I was there, for a big part of it. From, what, 1994 to the early 2000s? Something like that. Certainly The Golden Age: The “PULP FICTION”, “SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE”, “CLERKS”, “SWINGERS”, “SCREAM”, “GOOD WILL HUNTING”, “ENGLISH PATIENT”, “LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL” years…

Harvey and Bob made my first two movies. Then they signed me to an overall deal. Then they bought that horror script of mine about the Ten Plagues. For a lot of money. Also bought that werewolf-biker script. That no one else liked but was my personal favorite. They were going to publish my novel. They anointed me. Made it so other studios thought I was the real deal. They gave me my career. I was barely 30. I was sure I had struck gold. They loved me, these two brothers, who had reinvented cinema. And who were fun and tough and didn’t give an East Coast fuck about all the slick pricks out in L.A.

And those glory days in Tribeca? The old cramped offices? That wonderful gang of executives and assistants?
All the filmmakers who were doing repeat business? The brothers wanted to create a “family of film”.
And they did just that… We looked forward to having meetings there. Meetings that would turn into plans that would turn into raucous nights out on the town. Simply put: OG Miramax was a blast.

So, yeah, I was there. And let me tell you one thing. Let’s be perfectly clear about one thing: Everybody-fucking-knew. Not that he was raping. No, that we never heard. But we were aware of a certain pattern of overly-aggressive behavior that was rather dreadful. We knew about the man’s hunger; his fervor; his appetite. There was nothing secret about this voracious rapacity; like a gluttonous ogre out of the Brothers Grimm. All couched in vague promises of potential movie roles. (and, it should be noted: there were many who actually succumbed to his bulky charms. Willingly. Which surely must have only impelled him to cast his fetid net even wider). But like I said: everybody-fucking-knew.

And to me, if Harvey’s behavior is the most reprehensible thing one can imagine, a not-so-distant second is the current flood of sanctimonious denial and condemnation that now crashes upon these shores of rectitude in gloppy tides of bullshit righteousness. Because everybody-fucking-knew. And do you know how I am sure this is true? Because I was there. And I saw you. And I talked about it with you. You, the big producers; you, the big directors; you, the big agents; you, the big financiers. And you, the big rival studio chiefs; you, the big actors; you, the big actresses; you, the big models. You, the big journalists; you, the big screenwriters; you, the big rock stars; you, the big restaurateurs; you, the big politicians.

I saw you. All of you. God help me, I was there with you. Again, maybe we didn’t know the degree.
The magnitude of the awfulness. Not the rapes. Not the shoving against the wall. Not the potted-plant fucking. But we knew something. We knew something was bubbling under. Something odious. Something rotten. But… And this is as pathetic as it is true: What would you have had us do? Who were we to tell?
The authorities? What authorities? The press? Harvey owned the press. The Internet? There was no Internet or reasonable facsimile thereof. Should we have called the police? And said what? Should we have reached out to some fantasy Attorney General Of Movieland? That didn’t exist.

Not to mention, most of the victims chose not to speak out. Aside from sharing the grimy details with a close girlfriend or confidante. And if they discussed it with their representatives? Agents and managers, who themselves feared The Wrath Of The Big Man? The agents and managers would tell them to keep it to themselves. Because who knew the repercussions? That old saw “You’ll Never Work In This Town Again” Came crawling back to putrid life like a re-animated cadaver in a late-night zombie flick. But, yes, everyone knew someone who had been on the receiving end of lewd advances by him. Or knew someone who knew someone.

A few actress friends of mine told me stories: of a ghastly hotel meeting; of a repugnant bathrobe-shucking; of a loathsome massage request. And although they were rattled, they sort of laughed at his arrogance; how he had the temerity to think that simply the sight of his naked, doughy, carbuncled flesh was going to get them in the mood. So I just believed it to be a grotesque display of power; a dude misreading the room and making a lame-if-vile pass. It was much easier to believe that. It was much easier for ALL of us to believe that. Because…

And here’s where the slither meets the slime: Harvey was showing us the best of times. He was making our movies. Throwing the biggest parties. Taking us to The Golden Globes! Introducing us to the most amazing people (Meetings with Vice President Gore! Clubbing with Quentin and Uma! Drinks with Salman Rushdie and Ralph Fiennes! Dinners with Mick Jagger and Warren-freaking-Beatty!). The most epic Oscar weekends.
That seemed to last for weeks! Sundance! Cannes! Toronto! Telluride! Berlin! Venice! Private jets! Stretch limousines! Springsteen shows! Hell, Harvey once took me to St. Barth’s for Christmas. For 12 days! I was a broke-ass kid from Boston who had never even HEARD of St. Barth’s before he booked my travel. He once got me tickets to the seven hottest Broadway shows in one week. So I could take a new girlfriend on a dazzling tour of theater. He got me seats on the 40-yard-line to the Super Bowl, when the Patriots were playing the Packers in New Orleans. Even got me a hotel room, which was impossible to get that weekend.
He gave and gave and gave and gave. He had a monarch’s volcanic generosity when it came to those within his circle. And a Mafia don’s fervent need for abject loyalty from his capos and soldiers.

But never mind us! What about what he was doing for the culture? Making stunningly splendid films at a time when everyone else was cranking-out simpering “INDEPENDENCE DAY” rip-offs. It was glorious. All of it. So what if he was coming on a little strong to some young models who had moved mountains to get into one of his parties? So what if he was exposing himself, in five-star hotel rooms, like a cartoon flasher out of “MAD MAGAZINE” (just swap robe for raincoat!) Who were we to call foul? Golden Geese don’t come along too often in one’s life.

Which goes back to my original point: Everybody-fucking-knew. But everybody was just having too good a time. And doing remarkable work; making remarkable movies. As the old joke goes: We needed the eggs. Okay, maybe we didn’t NEED them. But we really, really, really, really LIKED them eggs. So we were willing to overlook what the Golden Goose was up to, in the murky shadows behind the barn… And for that, I am eternally sorry.

To all of the women that had to suffer this… I am eternally sorry. I’ve worked with Mira and Rosanna and Lysette. I’ve known Rose and Ashley and Claire for years… Their courage only hangs a lantern on my shame. And I am eternally sorry to all those who suffered in silence all this time. And have chosen to remain silent today. I mostly lost touch with the brothers by the early 2000s. For no specific reason. Just that there were other jobs, other studios. But a few months ago, Harvey called me, out of the blue. To talk about the bygone days. To talk about how great it would be to get some of the gang back together. Make a movie. He must have known then the noose was tightening. There was a wistfulness to him that I had never heard before. A melancholy.

It most assuredly had a walking-to-the-gallows feel. When we hung up I wondered: “what was that all about?” In a few short weeks I would know. It was the condemned man simply wanting to comb some of the ruins of his old stomping grounds. One last time. So, yeah, I am sorry. Sorry and ashamed. Because, in the end, I was complicit. I didn’t say shit. I didn’t do shit. Harvey was nothing but wonderful to me. So I reaped the rewards and I kept my mouth shut. And for that, once again, I am sorry.

But you should be sorry, too. With all these victims speaking up… To tell their tales. Shouldn’t those who witnessed it from the sidelines do the same? Instead of retreating to the cowardly, canopied confines of faux-outrage? Doesn’t being a bystander bring with it the responsibility of telling the truth, however personally disgraceful it may be? You know who are. You know that you knew. And do you know how I know that you knew? Because I was there with you. And because everybody-fucking-knew.

For the lazy NSGers, couple of points he's making:

- A lot of those who pretend they didn't know are lying; he says "everyone fucking knew"

- People didn't come out against Weinstein for five reasons: First, there was no one to go to, so anyone blaming Weinstein would end up with no career, i.e. the "Harvey owned the press" line. Second, Weinstein was a movie making genius, who redefined Hollywood, and Culture matters there quite a bit, with timeless movies, such as "PULP FICTION”, “SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE”, “CLERKS”, “SWINGERS”, “SCREAM”, “GOOD WILL HUNTING”, “ENGLISH PATIENT”, “LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL”. Third, life under Weinstein was amazing to those who were loyal to him and he gave them endless funding and opportunities. Fourth, their own agents would scare the women into staying silent. Fifth, they didn't know the extent; almost no one knew about the rape, and most chose not to investigate.

- That said, he is truly sorry to the victims, and willing to support them 100%.

- Others should apologize to the victims and support them; what happened, happened, but now it's time to make it right and give the victims Justice, and part of it is acknowledging that other actors knew, and chose not to do anything about it.

That was written by Scott Rosenberg. All the hate/love should be directed at him, not me

[Corrian]

Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out

[United States of Red Dawn]

[url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-mn-james-toback-sexual-harassment-allegations-20171018-story.html[Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out[/url]

I don't like Weinstein or care much about him, but don't you see this as something that is now becoming a witchhunt? Any man that has been too crude or too open about his attraction to a woman, etc can be targeted as a predator. God help him if he so much as makes an off-color stupid joke.

[Corrian]

[url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-mn-james-toback-sexual-harassment-allegations-20171018-story.html[Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out[/url]

I don't like Weinstein or care much about him, but don't you see this as something that is now becoming a witchhunt? Any man that has been too crude or too open about his attraction to a woman, etc can be targeted as a predator. God help him if he so much as makes an off-color stupid joke.

It could potentially turn into that somewhat, but this case? No, I don't see it as a witch hunt. Hell, call out all the legitimate scumbags. I don't care. The common theme in these seems to be the guy "interviewing" women and then either humping them or just jacking off. Sounds pretty disgusting.

[Major-Tom]

Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out

Checks out.

[Major-Tom]

If he goes to prison his utter repugnancy will mean he is likely to miss out on soap-based activities. The best hope in that this guy's future involves a particularly unsexy looking rat giving him an intimate fang-based crotch massage while he lies there drug-addled, unable to move from his position at the bottom of the scrapheap, towered over even by the rest of the festering trash.

Alien OG is one hell of a strain, man.

[Petrasylvania]

[url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-mn-james-toback-sexual-harassment-allegations-20171018-story.html[Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out[/url]

I don't like Weinstein or care much about him, but don't you see this as something that is now becoming a witchhunt? Any man that has been too crude or too open about his attraction to a woman, etc can be targeted as a predator. God help him if he so much as makes an off-color stupid joke.

Because making off color jokes is the same as exploiting your status in the movie industry to pressure aspiring actresses to sleep with you for a shot at stardom.

[Herador]

[url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/la-et-mn-james-toback-sexual-harassment-allegations-20171018-story.html[Director James Toback is the next one in the industry to be called out[/url]

I don't like Weinstein or care much about him, but don't you see this as something that is now becoming a witchhunt? Any man that has been too crude or too open about his attraction to a woman, etc can be targeted as a predator. God help him if he so much as makes an off-color stupid joke.

Read the article, as far back as the late 80's people were reporting how he was trying to leverage his position to get women alone at unreasonable hours of the night.

These aren't "off-color" jokes or him saying something that will set off whatever person made of straw you're thinking of, these are fucking hunting tactics. Try to be less disingenuous?

[United States of Red Dawn]

I don't like Weinstein or care much about him, but don't you see this as something that is now becoming a witchhunt? Any man that has been too crude or too open about his attraction to a woman, etc can be targeted as a predator. God help him if he so much as makes an off-color stupid joke.

Because making off color jokes is the same as exploiting your status in the movie industry to pressure aspiring actresses to sleep with you for a shot at stardom.

It is to some women.

[Herador]

Because making off color jokes is the same as exploiting your status in the movie industry to pressure aspiring actresses to sleep with you for a shot at stardom.

It is to some women.

Who? What actress' have done this? I assume you have names and aren't just making broad generalizations?

[Ethel mermania]

Because making off color jokes is the same as exploiting your status in the movie industry to pressure aspiring actresses to sleep with you for a shot at stardom.

It is to some women.

In a Work enviorment the telling an off color joke is not harrassment. It only rises to that level if the jokes are persistent and the tell has been told other staff is being made uncomfortable by the constant sexual jokes and innuendos.

[Major-Tom]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/art ... a2c18e0ba4

Kevin Spacey is facing heat, but this comes as no surprise. There were always rumors that Spacey was a homosexual, which is fine by me, but also rumors that he was a sexual deviant. Even before this, it was known in Hollywood circles that Spacey had some...odd tastes.

I post this here simply because it relates to all this Hollywood shit regarding sexual abuse claims and whatnot.

[Corrian]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/30/kevin-spacey-has-set-gay-rights-back-actor-blasted-for-response-to-sexual-misconduct-claim/?utm_term=.d3a2c18e0ba4

Kevin Spacey is facing heat, but this comes as no surprise. There were always rumors that Spacey was a homosexual, which is fine by me, but also rumors that he was a sexual deviant. Even before this, it was known in Hollywood circles that Spacey had some...odd tastes.

I post this here simply because it relates to all this Hollywood shit regarding sexual abuse claims and whatnot.

Yeah, I already had the assumption Kevin Spacey was gay. It was common knowledge. I also find it super weird he came out as gay in the same post as his apology.

[Major-Tom]

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/arts-and-entertainment/wp/2017/10/30/kevin-spacey-has-set-gay-rights-back-actor-blasted-for-response-to-sexual-misconduct-claim/?utm_term=.d3a2c18e0ba4

Kevin Spacey is facing heat, but this comes as no surprise. There were always rumors that Spacey was a homosexual, which is fine by me, but also rumors that he was a sexual deviant. Even before this, it was known in Hollywood circles that Spacey had some...odd tastes.

I post this here simply because it relates to all this Hollywood shit regarding sexual abuse claims and whatnot.

Yeah, I already had the assumption Kevin Spacey was gay. It was common knowledge. I also find it super weird he came out as gay in the same post as his apology.

Yeah, we all knew, I would say. That said, I had heard rumors of sexual misconduct from him and sorta didn't know what to believe, but eh, I think it's possible Spacey did some very bad things.

Which is a shame, cause he's a talented actor and all, but that doesn't excuse sexual misconduct, not by a long shot.

[Shofercia]

Owen Jones is not happy with Kevin Spacey: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... al-assault

How dare you, Kevin Spacey. One of the age-old tropes deployed against gay and bisexual men is that they pose a threat to children, that they are synonymous with paedophiles and pederasts. This vicious lie has long proved useful in justifying the systematic persecution of gay and bisexual men. And that is why Spacey’s statement is so utterly contemptible. He has been accused of attempted sexual assault against actor Anthony Rapp, who was a 14-year-old child at the time. The Oscar winner denied any recollection of the incident – and then chose to take the opportunity to come out.

Coming out is a personal landmark for all gay men, a “before and after” watershed moment. It can involve profound stress because of fear of rejection but for most it is a liberation, the lifting of an exhausting weight. That so many now feel comfortable coming out is due to a protracted and painful struggle on the part of LGBTQ people, particularly in the era when being gay could make you liable for arrest and incarceration...

But to use an allegation of attempted sexual assault against a child as an opportunity to come out? Again, how dare you, Kevin Spacey. When celebrities respond to scandals, they have a team of experienced PR representatives to help craft statements. And what do PR representatives try to do in these circumstances? They try to deflect attention by introducing a new story. In this case, it was their client coming out. Spacey has injured a minority he has publicly refused to associate with until a few hours ago.

[Petrasylvania]

House of Cards burning party when?

[Ethel mermania]

Owen Jones is not happy with Kevin Spacey: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfr ... al-assault

How dare you, Kevin Spacey. One of the age-old tropes deployed against gay and bisexual men is that they pose a threat to children, that they are synonymous with paedophiles and pederasts. This vicious lie has long proved useful in justifying the systematic persecution of gay and bisexual men. And that is why Spacey’s statement is so utterly contemptible. He has been accused of attempted sexual assault against actor Anthony Rapp, who was a 14-year-old child at the time. The Oscar winner denied any recollection of the incident – and then chose to take the opportunity to come out.

Coming out is a personal landmark for all gay men, a “before and after” watershed moment. It can involve profound stress because of fear of rejection but for most it is a liberation, the lifting of an exhausting weight. That so many now feel comfortable coming out is due to a protracted and painful struggle on the part of LGBTQ people, particularly in the era when being gay could make you liable for arrest and incarceration...

But to use an allegation of attempted sexual assault against a child as an opportunity to come out? Again, how dare you, Kevin Spacey. When celebrities respond to scandals, they have a team of experienced PR representatives to help craft statements. And what do PR representatives try to do in these circumstances? They try to deflect attention by introducing a new story. In this case, it was their client coming out. Spacey has injured a minority he has publicly refused to associate with until a few hours ago.

This is what happened with the Catholic priests, someone determined It was more important to protect the church than the victim


Owen is doing the same thing except he is protecting the gays rather than the victim.