Woody Allen has backtracked on a statement about how “sad” he is for Harvey Weinstein.
In a statement to Variety, Allen said: “When I said I felt sad for Harvey Weinstein I thought it was clear the meaning was because he is a sad, sick man. I was surprised it was treated differently. Lest there be any ambiguity, this statement clarifies my intention and feelings.”
In an interview with the BBC over the weekend, the director—who has been accused of sexual assault by his daughter, Dylan—offered his thoughts on the mounting assault and harassment allegations against Weinstein, many of which were reported by Allen’s son, Ronan Farrow, last week. He spoke of these allegations leading to a “witch hunt atmosphere” and feared a future in which “every guy in an office who winks at a woman is suddenly having to call a lawyer to defend himself.”
He added: “The whole Harvey Weinstein thing is very sad for everybody involved. Tragic for the poor women that were involved, sad for Harvey that [his] life is so messed up.”
Sure we know Woody Allen thinks Weinstein's an ok guy but I'm waiting to hear from Roman Polanski or Brock Turner before forming an opinion.
— The Volatile Mermaid (@OhNoSheTwitnt) October 16, 2017
This, of course, did not sit well, and many people wondered why Allen was even asked to speak on this. Last week Amazon Studios canceled a New York Film Festival red carpet for his new movie, Wonder Wheel, after allegations of sexual harassment against Amazon Studios head Roy Price surfaced.
H/T Variety