Today’s the day that Harvey Weinstein will be sentenced for his #MeToo crimes and it has been a long time coming. It was more than two years ago, in October 2017, that the New York Times exposed the film producer as an alleged sexual predator and on February 24, 2020, he was convicted of two of the five sexual assault charges against him.
A jury of seven men and five women found Weinstein guilty of a criminal sex act in the first degree and of rape in the third degree, after five days of deliberation, which means the 67-year-old could serve up to 29 years in prison. He was acquitted of first degree rape and two charges of predatory sexual assault, and is yet to face separate charges in Los Angeles.
However, his legal team have sent a letter to the New York City Supreme Court asking for leniency. On Monday, they asked presiding Judge James Burke to show mercy to Weinstein because of his serious health issues, his historic downfall and because he made a load of movies people liked.
‘His life story, his accomplishments, and struggles are simply remarkable and should not be disregarded in total because of the jury’s verdict,’ the notesaid.
I’m bored of being constantly expected to separate the art from the artist when it comes to consuming the work made by problematic filmmakers, but then when they’re in trouble, asked to consider their 'genius'.
Haven’t we heard that line before when it comes to terrible male artists? It’s the same sort of argument used to defend the likes of Roman Polanski, who was recently awarded France’s highest film prize at the Cesar Awards despite the fact he is a convicted paedophile who refused accept the consequences of his criminal actions.
On February 1 1978, after 42 days in jail, the Polish director fled the US to France, having pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor. Forty years later, Polanski has a string of movies and awards to his name and has worked with some of the biggest film stars in the world.
‘Oh but he’s a genius,’ people like to say, ‘he made Chinatown and Rosemary’s Baby!’
So what? I’m bored of being constantly expected to separate the art from the artist when it comes to consuming the work made by problematic filmmakers, like Polanski or Woody Allen - both of whom assert their innocence – but then when they’re in trouble, asked to consider their ‘genius’. No, Polanski should not have the freedom to make movies, not until he serves his sentence. And Woody doesn’t get sympathy for losing his book deal when he’s a multi-millionaire accused of molesting his young daughter by his daughter and family.
The worst thing about Weinstein’s lawyers asking for mercy, because of the producer’s contribution to the film industry, is that most of his criminal actions took place within it. He used his position as a powerful movie mogul to prey on actresses, producers and assistants across the globe. Festivals and film productions were often the backdrops for his predatory behaviour and any films made during his career are tainted by the association.
He also hindered the careers of so many women from achieving success in the same industry his lawyer’s boast of his contribution to. Mira Sorvino, Annabella Sciorra and Rose McGowan are just a few of the actresses who say they were blacklisted after his attacks on them. Since the #MeToo movement came to prominence, they are finally getting the opportunities he took away from them.
The only contribution to the film industry that the judge should take into account is Weinstein’s three-decade campaign of fear, terror and harassment of women.
When you take that into consideration, 29 years is certainly a mercy.
READ MORE: Weinstein's Ex-Wife's New Life
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