Veteran filmmaker
Woody Allen has said that he feels sad for
Harvey Weinstein and the woman who were subjected to sexual abuse at the hands of the media mogul.
In wake of multiple sexual allegations against the producer,
Allen
said no one opened up about these incidents "with any real seriousness" to him since people were only interested in making their films in the end.
"The whole Harvey
Weinstein
thing is very sad for everybody involved. Tragic for the poor women that were involved, sad for Harvey that (his) life is so messed up.
"No one ever came to me or told me horror stories with any real seriousness... And they wouldn't, because you are not interested in it. You are interested in making your movie," Allen told.
The Oscar-winning director said he hopes these allegations will lead to some drastic changes in the film industry but also voiced his concern about
Hollywood
slipping into a 'witch-hunt' culture.
"You also don't want it to lead to a witch-hunt atmosphere, a Salem atmosphere, where every guy in an office who winks at a woman is suddenly having to call a lawyer to defend himself. That's not right either."
"But sure, you hope that something like this could be transformed into a benefit for people rather than just a sad or tragic situation," Allen said. The director has been a frequent collaborator with Weinstein throughout their careers, having worked in films such as 'Bullets Over Broadway', 'Everyone Says I Love You', the Academy Award-winning 'Vicky Cristina Barcelona', among others.
Allen, however, was criticised for feeling 'sad for Harvey'. He clarified his stand in a statement and said,"When I said I felt sad for Harvey Weinstein I thought it was clear the meaning was because he is a sad, sick man."
"I was surprised it was treated differently. Lest there be any ambiguity, this statement clarifies my intention and feelings."
Allen's son, Ronan Farrow, broke the story in October, where he reported on the allegations against Weinstein. In 2014, the 'Midnight in Paris' director was publicly accused of molesting his and former wife, Mia Farrow's adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, over 20 years before. Allen has consistently denied the allegation.
Celebs accused of sexual crimes