Asia Argento calls out Harvey Weinstein: 'The festival was his hunting ground'
Actor, director, and activist Asia Argento was one of the first women to speak out about Harvey Weinstein’s decades of sexual assault and harassment, and she’s still got plenty to say about the alleged predator – and other predators in Hollywood.
Taking the stage to give out the best actress award at the Cannes Film Festival, Argento gave a stunning speech.
“In 1997, I was raped by Harvey Weinstein here at Cannes. I was 21 years old. This festival was his hunting ground. I want to make a prediction. Harvey Weinstein will never be welcomed here ever again.”
Do me a favor and watch this video immediately.
You won’t regret it. @AsiaArgento will take your breath away.
Video by @hugoclement pic.twitter.com/bThukZ4Oc3
— Yashar Ali (@yashar) May 19, 2018
She continued, calling out others who have not yet been held accountable, saying, “He will live in disgrace, shunned by a film community that once embraced him and covered up for his crimes. And even tonight, sitting among you, there are those who still have to be held accountable for their conduct against women for behavior that does not belong in this industry. You know who you are. But more importantly, we know who you are. And we’re not going to allow you to get away with it any longer.”
People applauded Argento, calling her speech “necessary” and “scalding.”
After Asia Argento’s necessary, scalding speech, the Best Actress prize at Cannes goes to Samal Yeslyamova in AYKA #Cannes2018
— Kyle Buchanan (@kylebuchanan) May 19, 2018
Asia Argento calling out predators still among the crowd at the Cannes awards ceremony: “You know who you are, but more importantly, we know who you are, and we’re not going to let you get away with it.”
— Emily Yoshida (@emilyyoshida) May 19, 2018
A lot of people don’t want to be confronted with the hard truth, but @AsiaArgento saying what needs to be said, plain and simple. If we want real change, we need more of this kind of talk at awards ceremonies, not montages or spotlights on “strong female characters.” https://t.co/vvUzTyK185
— Rachel King (@rachelking) May 19, 2018
Fellow entertainers also chimed in with support.
Truth to power – this is exactly how to do it.
Right on @AsiaArgento! https://t.co/nsOwC60R1W
— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 19, 2018
My brave friend @AsiaArgento https://t.co/8MDrsRUUIo
— Annabella Sciorra (@AnnabellSciorra) May 19, 2018
Asia Argento .. God bless you.
— Rosanna Arquette (@RoArquette) May 19, 2018
Women who have encountered Weinstein in his decades in the entertainment industry have spoken out about the ways he allegedly sexually harassed or assaulted them. The list of women who have publicly accused him, including Gwyneth Paltrow and Angelina Jolie, is lengthy. These accusations have resulted in his being fired from his company and losing his wife. He has continued to deny most of it.
Ashley Judd filed suit in Los Angeles Superior Court in April, accusing Harvey Weinstein of retaliating against her because she refused his sexual advances.
Judd contends that Weinstein smeared her reputation to director Peter Jackson, causing him not to cast her in The Lord of the Rings.
The disgraced movie mogul is reportedly still in a treatment facility in Arizona.
Read more from Yahoo Lifestyle:
What to learn about trauma survival from Harvey Weinstein’s ex-wife, Georgina Chapman
Jessica Chastain says Harvey Weinstein bullied her for not wearing a dress designed by his wife
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