Last week, Dylan Farrow wrote an open letter that was published in the New York Times, and for the first time ever, the details of her accusations of sexual assault by her adoptive father, Woody Allen, were revealed. For 20 years, we’d only known that the accusations existed and they were perhaps just part of Allen’s messy split from Mia Farrow, but now Dylan has added some very graphic imagery of both the physical and mental harm that she claims to have suffered.
Obviously, a lot of people have had opinions about Dylan’s accusations, as if they were in the room when such vile acts did or did not happen. That was partially the point of Dylan’s letter, to allow people to ask themselves if they’re comfortable turning a blind eye to such heinous accusations in favor of a celebrated director’s art. But in her letter, Dylan also specifically asked for the opinions of several actors and actresses who starred in some of the director’s recent films or simply supported him.
What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? Louis CK? Alec Baldwin? What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?
Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse.
So imagine your seven-year-old daughter being led into an attic by Woody Allen. Imagine she spends a lifetime stricken with nausea at the mention of his name. Imagine a world that celebrates her tormenter.
Are you imagining that? Now, what’s your favorite Woody Allen movie?
Naturally, most of these actors have not been jumping out of their seats to answer these questions, but that’s why we have reporters, so they can catch Cate Blanchett on the spot and hope for a big, juicy quote.
At the Santa Barbara International Film Festival on Saturday, journalist Jeffrey Wells asked Blanchett if she had any response to the letter. Blanchett, who has been nominated for an Academy Award her role in Blue Jasmine, simply commented, “It’s obviously been a long and painful situation for the family and I hope they find some sort of resolution and peace.” (Via TIME)
That’s probably the safest answer possible, other than shooting a light beam out of your thumb and praying for a passing Vogon ship to pick you up. Alec Baldwin doesn’t play it safe, though. It’s angry or nothing for him.
“What the f&@% is wrong w u that u think we all need to b commenting on this family’s personal struggle?” he tweeted Sunday. “So you know who’s guilty? Who’s lying? You, personally, know that?” he continued, adding: “You are mistaken if you think there is a place for me, or any outsider, in this family’s issue.” He later deleted his responses.
Don’t worry, he’ll replace them with more anger soon enough.