Woody Allen Supports #MeToo Movement While Criticizing “Silly” Cancel Culture
Venice, Italy – Renowned film director Woody Allen made headlines at the Venice Film Festival as he addressed the persistent interest in the historic allegations against him while promoting his 50th film, Coup de Chance (Stroke of Luck). Allen, 87, also voiced his support for the #MeToo movement but criticized what he deems as the “extremes” of cancel culture.
Allen’s career has been overshadowed by renewed focus on an allegation made against him in 1992. His adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, accused him of sexually assaulting her during a custody battle between Allen and her adoptive mother, Mia Farrow. Despite two investigations that found no merit to the charges, Dylan and her brother Ronan Farrow’s restatements have led to widespread condemnation of Allen.
In an interview with Variety, Allen expressed his support for the positive aspects of the #MeToo movement but labeled some instances of cancel culture as “silly” and “foolish.” He highlighted that there are cases where the movement has brought about significant benefits for women but emphasized the importance of not exaggerating issues that most people would not perceive as offensive situations.
Allen’s remarks on the #MeToo movement come after his four-picture deal with Amazon was cancelled in 2018 due, in part, to his remarks that he could be the “poster boy” for the movement. Allen later sued the studio for $68 million, and the case was reportedly settled privately in 2019.
Allen stood by his previous comments, stating that throughout his career, he has worked with numerous women, always treating them fairly and with respect. He insisted that not a single actress had ever complained about his behavior or treatment of them. Allen’s films have frequently featured strong roles for women, and he claimed to have had women in his crew and paid them the same as their male counterparts.
Regarding the ongoing interest in the allegations, Allen maintained that the case has been thoroughly investigated by two major investigative bodies, both of which concluded that the charges had no merit. He expressed confusion over the continued fascination with the allegations, suggesting that some may find it appealing to keep the controversy alive.
At the Venice Film Festival, Allen presented Coup de Chance, a French-language thriller set in Paris. Despite the controversy surrounding him, he stated that casting has not been a major challenge for him, with actors continuing to work with him. Some notable supporters include Scarlett Johansson, Diane Keaton, and Emma Stone. However, actors such as Colin Firth, Timothee Chalamet, and Rebecca Hall have distanced themselves from Allen.
Allen also commented on the current state of cinema, echoing sentiments expressed by peers like Francis Ford Coppola. He noted that there are fewer European films being shown in the United States, suggesting that culturally, cinema is not in a wonderful place.
As Allen continues to face criticism and support, his latest film, Coup de Chance, is set to release amid the ongoing controversy. The director remains committed to his work and believes that the presentation of films has changed more than the impact of cancel culture on his career.