Hollywood stars and executives condemn the actions of movie producer Harvey Weinstein.
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[n] - noun, [v] - verb, [phv] - phrasal verb, [adj] - adjective, [exp] - expression
The organization behind the Oscars has voted to expel the film mogul Harvey Weinstein over rape and sexual assault
allegations. The Academy said the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior
in the industry was over. Mr. Weinstein has insisted that any sexual contact with his accusers was consensual.
Laura Bicker has been following the story.
When it comes to this body, these are 54 members, really influential figures in Hollywood like Tom Hanks. Whoopi
Goldberg, Steven Spielberg. And in this statement, the academy board of governors said they voted to expel him not
simply to separate themselves from someone who does not merit the respect of his colleagues, but also to send a
message that the era of willful ignorance and shameful complicity in sexually predatory behavior is over. What
they're saying is things are going to change.
Are they really though? I mean, are they making Harvey Weinstein into a kind of fall guy? Isn't the problem much
wider than this?
You know, when you speak to people here, and some of it has been very depressing this week, you speak to women after
women and men who feel that they've been preyed upon by people in power. And you heard it from earlier this week from
the likes of Emma Thompson, who said that this is an epidemic. That Harvey Weinstein is just the tip of the iceberg.
You're right. More revelations have to come forward. Hollywood is now taking a good long hard look at itself. And I'm
not sure it's liking what it's seeing. I've also spoken to people who just simply do not want to hear the question
about Harvey Weinstein. They do not want to hear the answers. So there's still a long way to go.
And briefly even Harvey Weinstein’s brother has been laying into him.
He really has. Harvey Weinstein’s brother called him a predator. He said that he wasn't aware of the abuse, and he had
pleaded with the Academy to kick his brother out.
Laura Bicker.