Irish film director Lenny Abrahamson has said that he hopes the Harvey Weinstein scandal will uncover “powerful abusers” in Ireland.
"Right now, here in Ireland, there will be powerful abusers relying on the silence of colleagues. Let’s hope their time is up," wrote Abrahamson in a string of Tweets posted on Thursday, reports Campus.ie.
Weinstein and monsters like him are only possible if people in a position to challenge abuse choose to look the other way.
— lenny abrahamson (@lennyabrahamson) October 11, 2017
More than 30 women, including many high-profile actresses, have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment against Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein following a New York Times investigation into the Oscar-winning producer.
Read More: Guinness heiress spoke out about predator Harvey Weinstein 7 years ago
His long list of accusers includes Gwyneth Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Ashley Judd, Rose McGowan, and Kate Beckinsale. Allegations against Weinstein have ranged from inappropriate massages to rape, which Weinstein has strongly denied. The alleged abuses have reportedly been going on for three decades.
Irish filmmaker Lenny Abrahamson in 2013. Credit: Laura Hutton/Rollingnews.ie
Abrahamson, who directed "The Room" starring Brie Larson, has said on social media that everyone has a “duty to expose harassers.”
"Weinstein and monsters like him are only possible if people in a position to challenge abuse choose to look the other way.
All of us have a duty to expose the harassers and resist the culture of accommodation that grows around powerful men.
— lenny abrahamson (@lennyabrahamson) October 11, 2017
"All of us have a duty to expose the harassers and resist the culture of accommodation that grows around powerful men.
Actress Rose McGowan. Credit: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.0
"The closer we are to power ourselves, like the senior executives in Weinstein’s company, the greater our responsibility," he said.
"What’s for sure is that Weinstein will be the first of many who will now be exposed. I hope they are quaking in their boots.
"Right now, here in Ireland, there will be powerful abusers relying on the silence of colleagues. Let’s hope their time is up."
Right now, here in Ireland, there will be powerful abusers relying on the silence of colleagues. Let’s hope their time is up.
— lenny abrahamson (@lennyabrahamson) October 11, 2017
Irish actor Colin Farrell also spoke out with regards to the allegations against Weinstein.
Arriving at the premiere for his film ‘The Killing of a Sacred Deer’ at the BFI London Film Festival, he told the Press Association: “It’s horrific, it’s just mad.”
Irish actor Colin Farrell. Credit: RTE
“I’m just watching it unfold and then tearing myself away from it and realizing the horribleness of it all and the wrongdoing, fundamentally, around the whole thing and just wish healing for everyone and that changes are made,” said Farrell, according to the Daily Mail.
“I hope anyone who was hurt that they have healing, it's just atrocious really.”
Read more: Daniel Day-Lewis despised Harvey Weinstein despite 1990 Oscar win
Weinstein, who has been fired from his company and has reportedly entered rehab for treatment for sex addiction, issued an apology after the story broke. He said he understands that the way he behaved “has caused a lot of pain” and that he “needed to be a better person.” However, he has “unequivocally denied” the allegations of rape made by three women, including Rose McGowan. Police investigations are underway.
Comments