Hollywood’s #MeToo Moment
A revolution has begun in the Hollywood film industry. This year, dozens of actresses, writers, and directors have spoken out against powerful men in Hollywood, accusing them of sexual misconduct and abuse. Among the accused are Harvey Weinstein, Kevin Spacey, Louis C.K., James Toback, Matt Lauer, and many other influential players in the entertainment industry.
However, some of these men have repeatedly denied the allegations. In an attempt to garner public support and awareness, several of the world’s most acclaimed actresses have come forward to share their stories.
On October 16th the Four Season held Elle Magazine’s annual event for women in entertainment featuring A-List celebrities such as Amy Adams, Helen Mirren, and Reese Witherspoon. In her speech, Witherspoon admitted that she was assaulted as a 16-year-old girl by a director and that she felt “silence was a condition of employment.” Also speaking at the same event, Jessica Chastain adds that the industry is “rife with sexism, racism, and homophobia,” and she commended the women who have risked everything by standing up to their superiors. In her open letter to Hollywood, Margot Robbie says “even those of us lucky enough to have established a career in the hallowed grounds of show business are still in the shadows of the big trees, constantly reminded that we only grow in the sunshine they allow us. These difficulties we face share the same spirit of those faced by countless women all over the world who struggle for the right to earn a living, the right to be heard, and even the right to be safe from harm.” These women’s stories must continue to stay at the forefront of the media to cause lasting change.
Hollywood’s response to the allegations was meek in comparison to the alleged victim’s accusations. Almost all film studios declined to comment initially. Additionally, Miramax attempted to pay off eight accusers at the beginning of October. In an interview with the L.A. Times, Caroline Heldman, a college professor specializing in gender, media, and race, worked with the alleged victims, remarking that “Hollywood likes to project an image of being progressive about issues of race, gender, and social issues — but at the end of the day it is an incredibly regressive industry.” Hollywood insiders describe Weinstein’s misconduct as an “open secret," and these kinds of stories have been swept under the rug with accusations dating back to the era of silent films.
Since October, hundreds of phone calls and emails have been sent to the L.A. Times with complaints of sexual misconduct in the industry. On November 9th, the Beverly Hills police assigned a task force specifically devoted to managing and investigating allegations of inappropriate conduct in Hollywood. Because of the striking statistics, the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), an organization representing over 160,000 performers, has begun conversations surrounding individual rights in cases of sexual assault. SAG says sexual assault complaints are up 500% since October. From an article in the New York Times, acclaimed producer Judd Apatow remarks that “young actresses are mistreated in all sorts of ways by powerful men who can dangle jobs or access to exciting parts of show business. I think a lot of people are mistreated and they don’t realize how badly they’re being mistreated.”
The amount of media coverage surrounding sexual harassment and assault in Hollywood will hopefully shift the entertainment industry’s culture and convince more women to come forward. Harvey Weinstein and the Weinstein Company are being sued by the state of New York for sexual misconduct and it could jeopardize an ongoing effort to sell the studio. If successful, this suit would demonstrate that sexual harassment is longer a crime without consequence. With this high-profile lawsuit and the circulation of new claims, the industry has the opportunity to recognize its faults and better promote gender equality. It remains to be seen if those found guilty will receive appropriate punishment or if their influence in the industry protects them from the consequences of their actions.
