Hollywood has moved swiftly to exile Harvey Weinstein. The producer and former mogul, who is facing an escalating number of allegations of sexual harassment, assault, and rape has been removed from The Weinstein Company (however, he still retains a 23% stake), is in the process of being kicked out of the Producers Guild Of America, and ousted from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. However, if you expect the Academy to start reconsidering the membership of people such as Mel Gibson, Bill Cosby, and Roman Polanski, guess again.
In an email sent to members yesterday, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president John Bailey explained — via heavily referencing Carl Theodor Dreyer‘s silent classic “The Passion of Joan of Arc” for some reason — that while the organization wants members to set “parameters of proper conduct, of sexual equality, and respect for our fellow artists throughout industry” they will not become “an inquisitorial court.”
Except, perhaps, when the optics are right to boot someone like Harvey Weinstein but not Bill Cosby. Here’s the full letter:
In the Matter of H. Weinstein… and Beyond
Dear Fellow Academy Members,
Danish director Carl Dreyer’s 1928 film “The Passion of Joan of Arc” is not only one of the visual landmarks of the silent era, but is a deeply disturbing portrait of a young woman’s persecution in the face of the male judges and priests of the ruling order. The actress Maria Falconetti gave one of the most profoundly affecting performances in the history of cinema as the Maid of Orleans.
Since the decision of the Academy’s Board of Governors on Saturday October 14 to expel producer Harvey Weinstein from its membership, I have been haunted not only by the recurring image of Falconetti and the sad arc of her career (dying in Argentina in 1946, reputedly from a crash diet) but of Joan’s refusal to submit to an auto de fe recantation of her beliefs.
Recent public testimonies by some of filmdom’s most recognized women regarding sexual intimidation, predation, and physical force is, clearly, a turning point in the film industry — and hopefully in our country, where what happens in the world of movies becomes a marker of societal Zeitgeist. Their decision to stand up against a powerful, abusive male not only parallels the cinema courage of Falconetti’s Joan but gives all women courage to speak up.
After Saturday’s Board of Governors meeting, the Academy issued a passionately worded statement, expressing not only our concern about harassment in the film industry, but our intention to be a strong voice in changing the culture of sexual exploitation in the movie business, already common well before the founding of the Academy 90 years ago. It is up to all of us Academy members to more clearly define for ourselves the parameters of proper conduct, of sexual equality, and respect for our fellow artists throughout industry. The Academy cannot, and will not, be an inquisitorial court, but we can be a part of a larger initiative to define standards of behavior, and to support the vulnerable women and men who may be at personal and career risk because of violations of ethical standards by their peers.
Yours,
John
Academy President
While all of this is well-meaning, it’s also completely misguided. According to Bailey, the Academy believes there are only two options when it comes to dealing with sexual harassment and assault in the industry — setting the rules and standing aside or running an “inquisitorial court.” Frankly, this glances against the kind of shoulder shrugging, “Well, we don’t want to start a witch hunt” argument coming from some corners.
If the Academy truly wanted to be leaders in the industry, that would roll up their sleeves and do the hard work of figuring out just what kind of people they want as members. They would establish a true framework for how they will work with victims, and what initiatives they will take so someone like Harvey Weinstein can’t be allowed to walk the halls of power in Hollywood for years and decades.
Here’s hoping we hear more from the Academy about an issue that won’t be going away anytime soon. [THR]
