Harvey Weinstein Says He Has Done More For Women Than Any Other Filmmaker

Harvey Weinstein broke his year long silence this weekend when he gave an interview to the New York Post alleging he has done more for women in film than any other filmmaker. His accusers have since responded saying he is ‘trying to gaslight society’.

‘I feel like the forgotten man,’ the alleged rapist - who has been accused of sexual assault or harassment by more than 80 women - said last week. ‘I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I’m talking about 30 years ago. I’m not talking about now when it’s vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it!’

‘It all got eviscerated because of what happened,’ he continued. ‘My work has been forgotten.’

Bragging about the deals he secured actors like Gwyneth Paltrow and Felicity Huffman, he went on to say his now dissolved company should be recognised for its social-justice agenda. ‘This was a company that took social issues and tackled them,’ he said.

With the interviewer describing him as ‘the characteristic bully’ throughout, often snapping and threatening to end the interview after every uncomfortable question, Weinstein said the purpose of the interview was to prove he wasn’t exaggerating his current ailments.

Last week, he turned up at court using a walker due to a back injury he sustained in a car accident in August. The day after his three-hour spinal surgery gave the interview in a luxury hospital, which was described as ‘elite’, ‘designed to look like a plush hotel’ with a private chef and concierge. He has also been spotted at late-night bars and shopping around Manhattan despite his condition.

The interview has understandably attracted huge backlash, with Time’s Up releasing a statement signed by twenty-three women including Ashley Judd and Rose McGowan. ‘Harvey Weinstein is trying to gaslight society again,’ the statement reads. ‘He says in a new interview he doesn’t want to be forgotten. Well, he won’t be. He will be remembered as a sexual predator and an unrepentant abuser who took everything and deserves nothing. He will be remembered by the collective will of countless women who stood up and said enough. We refuse to let this predator rewrite his legacy of abuse.’

Weinstein was discharged from hospital on Sunday morning and is on trial for rape on 6 January. He is facing five counts of predatory sexual assault, criminal sex act and rape involving two separate women. He has previously denied any wrongdoing and if found guilty faces life in prison.

Read More: The men in Hollywood accused of sexual harassment post Me-Too.