Woody Allen faces ‘joke’ comparing him to Polanski during Cannes opening

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I said yesterday that Ronan Farrow had ensured that there would be an asterisk following around Woody Allen’s appearance at Cannes this year, and that’s absolutely what happened. Ronan’s Hollywood Reporter op-ed was published mid-morning EST, which meant it dropped basically in the middle of the press conference for Café Society at Cannes. The NYT’s Cannes correspondent noted that they were only aware of Ronan’s op-ed after the press conference, and that no reporter asked Woody any questions about Dylan Farrow. But of course some reporter did ask Woody if he would ever consider writing a movie with an older woman-younger man love story, since all of his films seem to have very young women falling for much older men.

Woody Allen, lifestyle guru? The 69th annual Cannes Film Festival opens Wednesday night with the director’s latest film, “Café Society,” a bicoastal romp set in Hollywood and New York in the 1930s. At a news conference earlier Wednesday, Mr. Allen was asked his views on romance, fame, casting, and how he keeps fit on the set at age 80. He was not, however, asked anything about accusations of sexual abuse by his adoptive daughter, Dylan Farrow. Wednesday’s news conference, with journalists from around the world, covered lighter ground and captured the generally adoring reception the director has gotten in Europe.

He was asked whether it was physically harder for him to make films. “I’m so youthful, agile, nimble, spry, mentally alert, that it’s astonishing,” he said, adding, “I eat well, I exercise.” His father lived past 100, he said, and his mother to nearly 100. “What it is, is luck,” he said. (The director wears hearing aids and sometimes couldn’t hear the questions.)

Mr. Allen said he was a romantic, raised on Hollywood movies. After so many films with love affairs between an older man and a younger woman, Mr. Allen was asked if he would ever consider making a film with a romance between, say, a 50-something woman and a 20-something man. That, he said, would be “a perfectly valid comic idea,” but it wasn’t really his field. “I just don’t have any material,” he said. “I don’t have anything really to draw on. But I wouldn’t hesitate if I had a good story.”

[From The NY Times]

After the Café Society premiere last night, Woody and the cast attended the opening night ceremony, and the MC, Laurent Lafitte, made a “rape joke” about Woody. That’s not my characterization of it, that’s how it’s being reported, that there was a “rape joke.” Judge for yourselves:

Laurent Lafitte, a French comedian and the master of ceremonies at the opening night of the Cannes Film Festival, on Wednesday night caused gasps with a comment about festival favorite Woody Allen before the premiere of Cafe Society.

While addressing Allen, the master of ceremonies said: “You’ve shot so many of your films here in Europe and yet in the U.S. you haven’t even been convicted of rape.”

Attendees took the comment as a reference to Roman Polanski, who lives and works in Europe, escaping the U.S.’ bid for extradition from Poland for charges dating back to the 1970s related to having unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl.

[From THR]

Is the Polanski comparison apt or not? Was this joke wrong? Even though the joke made me cringe, I like the fact that the MC felt bold enough to make some kind of reference – the first and only g—damn reference thus far during the festival – to Woody’s situation.

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Photos courtesy of WENN.

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114 Responses to “Woody Allen faces ‘joke’ comparing him to Polanski during Cannes opening”

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  1. PunkyMomma says:

    Both Polanski and Allen are predators.

    • GoodNamesAllTaken says:

      And they both think they are victims. I’m so glad this joke was made. I have no problem with it whatsoever except it wasn’t accompanied by a smack in the face.

    • Locke Lamora says:

      Maybe Woody gets a lighter treatment because he wasn’t convicted and Roman was? Then again, Roman doesn’t get a harsh treatment either most of the time, because these people are beyond hypocritical.

    • D says:

      Something that really bothered me with this year’s Oscars, is the fact that the same people who applauded the bravery of the victims of sexual abuse, also applauds Roman Polanski and Woody Allen.

      • Elyna says:

        D…exactly!!! The biggest two-face IMO is Lady Gaga. 2011 she was “dreaming” of working with Woody Allen…2016 she is working with Diane Warren writing to give voice to survivors of sexual assault. Both she and Warren are noted survivors themselves. Add her work with Terry Richardson…w.t.h. is she thinking???

      • Denisemich says:

        Hollywood needs to stop casting really old men with really young women as love interests. They are perpuating a theme that innocence and youth is sexy. If that idea was repelled, we wouldn’t have to deal with the relevance of Woody Allen and his ILK.

        Movies with Old Men and Young Women…
        Casablanca
        American Beauty
        An Education
        Autumn in NY
        Bulworth
        Crazy Heart
        Edge of Tomorrow

      • The Eternal Side-Eye says:

        @Elyna

        Don’t forget her doing a duet with R. Kelly called “Do What You Want” girl makes me wonder sometimes and I hate that.

      • Sarah(too) says:

        Yes!!!! So much yes. Hollywood is so two-faced about this issue and it makes me sick.

      • kcarp says:

        @denisemich

        my husband loves the movie Crazy Heart, I think it is so uncomfortable to watch. I think it has to do with the fact this woman is in her 20’s/early 30’s with a young child hooking up with a guy who is like 60 something and looks and acts kind of pervy. It’s gross and uncomfortable.

    • Snazzy says:

      yup. Gross gross gross

    • Kelly says:

      Do you remember when celebs signed a petition calling for the release of Polanski several years ago? Poor creative genius forced to flee from his barely there sentence.
      Yuck.

    • JenYfromTheBlok says:

      I applaud the “comic” who made an apt and bold statement -directly to WA- using the term ‘rape’ as is the crime. This is the storm that will be forever be associated with his sickening appearance in Cannes. Great news!

  2. Goats on the Roof says:

    At least somebody is saying something!

    • tealily says:

      Right? Not a joke, just the truth. Say it.

    • Original T.C. says:

      Exactly and got him to admit his ONLY source of material/experience is old men with young girls. And in 2016 he can’t come up with an example of a woman in her 50’s dating a man in his 20’s? Way to admit you lack creativity and make the same repetitive movies about your “romantic” relationships with young women.

      This is why this topic should come up anytime he shows his face at a premier and be asked by the press blunt questions. Without a well written statement to hide behind, his mouth moves faster than his brain and will reveal the truth.

  3. Nancy says:

    Squirm you little worm. I think we covered this pretty much yesterday, but if there is one depth lower in hell, it will be reserved for him. THEY WERE HIS CHILDREN. Done talking about him.

    • Naya says:

      Thanks. They WERE his children. People who take the time to type out long missives about how the daughter of your girlfriend of over a decade is fair game must have the most broken moral compass and I honestly worry for the children in their lives.

    • Kitten says:

      Yes.
      Yesterday’s thread was pretty nauseating. It perfectly exemplified why so many sex abuse victims don’t come forward.
      I really feel for Dylan and Ronan.

      (Happy Bday BTW)

      • Nancy says:

        Thanks Kitten. Self promoting, I must be getting very old. I can see that four 0 in the not so far distance. Scotch rocks please. On a more serious note children, I hate when he gets attention for anything. He should have a scarlet letter on his chest. Happy that Dylan and Ronan have such a loving mother. My goodness, to hate someone so much to change the name they bestowed upon you, now that’s the final kiss off.

      • Kitten says:

        38 right? That’s me in December so I feel your pain, my friend 😉

        Yup. Every time this guy gets validation and accolades, it’s another twist of the knife in the backs of his children.

    • littlemissnaughty says:

      “Squirm you little worm.” LMAO God, yes. I have to say, that joke is dark, very dark. But my first reaction was “Buuurn.” I don’t think it’s a “rape joke” per se but honestly, I couldn’t even say why.

      I think I won’t read much further here because as Kitten pointed out, yesterday’s comments were (sometimes) pretty hard to swallow.

      As an aside, last night’s 8’clock news (German) really almost did me in with their fawning over this little “spry” worm (I will refer to him like this from now on.). This is a highly respected news program. And they LOVE him. Oh he’s just a genius, he’s incomparable!

      • Reddy says:

        They probably bought the Tv rights for the film. But I feel like german TV and magazines in general tend to not touch that topic when covering him. Like you can just enjoy his movies, because he is this “awesome artist” whose private life has nothing to do with his work.
        I think that is part of what the term “rape culture” describes.

    • Sarah(too) says:

      My pet peeve (as a mother via adoption) is how all the stories refer to Dylan as his “adopted” or “adoptive” daughter. She. Was. His. Daughter. Period. No need for qualifiers. Just because there isn’t shared blood doesn’t mean it isn’t incestuous and predatory and wrong.

      • Pinky Rose says:

        And also legally after a child is adopted, it stops been adopted and becomes your actual child. I always find it deeply insulting when media makes the difference between biological and adopted.

      • Gray and great says:

        Molesters always have excuses for why they’re not molesters. They minimize their actions (it’s silly) and make it all about how great they are instead of giving an ounce of sympathy to the accuser/victim, like an adult would. Molesters are narcissistic children.

      • Who ARE these people? says:

        Yes, thanks! Adoption is the way the child joined the family, and that’s all, a legal status. The parent-child relationship is the parent-child relationship.

      • noway says:

        I know the media and gossip sites do this to a lot of celebrity children, and I think this is despicable and just plain wrong. Especially in this case it is wrong because the public tide has turned a lot over the years and it makes it seem parents who adopt are more likely to be predators. My guess is statistically they are less likely to be predators.

    • paleokifaru says:

      I completely agree with you and happy birthday Nancy!

  4. missmerry says:

    I wonder what Allen’s wife thinks sitting in the audience hearing all that.

    Do people just act like she’s not there, does she not speak for herself? Does nobody ask her about how she is, or how he is to her?
    Does she let people think she is and was mentally incapable of not being ‘preyed upon’ by Allen? Does that hurt her? Was that how their relationship started and she chose to stay as she aged?

    It’s just something I think about.

    • Naya says:

      I think about these things too. She was a victim and still is. I doubt she sees it this way though. I think she has lived a life brainwashing and psychological abuse. If Woody tells the world that he “saved” her life, imagine what he tells her when she starts to exhibit independent thought? Imagine how that offensive crap is phrased when he is angry.

      He crushed her spirit many decades ago, I doubt you will ever see anything from her beyond that dead eyed look that she always has.

      • Greenieweenie says:

        Speaking from experience, a 6 year old adoption from that sort of background will involve a good amount of trauma/PTSD that absolutely carries forward into adulthood. Who knows how she was abused in Korea, especially if her abusive birth mother was a prostitite, but she would’ve been showing signs in one way or another. I find it so appalling that Woody preyed on her and she went with him–she has never had the chance to work through Woody’s abuse and how it connects to her early childhood trauma. At this point it is easier for her to ratIonalize than anything else. That’s just my two cents, not trying to engage in armchair diagnoses, I can just really relate to this story on a personal level.

      • lucy2 says:

        That’s how I imagine she is as well. It’s really sad.

      • Imqrious2 says:

        Just remember that article of a few days ago, where HE claims he saved her from poverty, from a life on the streets as a beggar…. I’m sure she’s heard that MANY times over the years. I would put forth it’s a type of Stockholm Syndrome going on. Because even if she is as evil in her soul as he is, she was still a child when he began to groom her.

        Uggggh, I feel so *dirty* just typing about him. I’m off for a good long scrub in a hot shower!

    • ab says:

      me too. she always looks so blank. they have been together for long enough now that I feel like it’s probably some sort of stockholm syndrome situation.

      • JenniferJustice says:

        I don’t think of Stockholm syndrome, but I definitely think she isn’t capable of making decisions in her own best interest. I don’t care that he claims she’s acheived degrees and higher education, etc. All one need do is look at her eyes to see she is not all there. Something is missing.

        IMO he not only initiated an incestuous relationship with his teen (or younger) daugher, but he also took advantage of an obvious developmentally challenged person. I beleive his entire agenda around sending her to school to get degrees, was specifically so he could tout her intellect and thereby quash the rumors that she is somehow incapable of being taken advantage of developmentally. He thinks he’s so smart, but he’s just a cagey rat.

      • hmmm says:

        I noticed that, too. You can be intellectually sharp but emotionally and cognitively dulled/absent. It’s like she’s out of her body all the time. I also believe that she simply submits to him.

    • Erinn says:

      I feel sorry for her, truly.

      Because I mean, even if the man had a conviction on his record, and probably even if she witnessed him abusing someone else – she’s so brainwashed at this point into believing that HE saved her from a terrible life that she still wouldn’t think what he did to her was abuse.

      And even if she DID believe that she was a victim – she’d probably think it was just a price to pay for being ‘taken care of’.

      And all of this is why I’d never have been able to go into social work.

      • SilkyMalice says:

        I agree with your assessment that she probably thinks this is the price she pays for being taken care of. There is no way on earth she has any perspective of what a normal relationship is like, or how to be a mother. I fear terribly for their girls.

      • Marty says:

        Exactly Erinn, it was very clear from that THR interview that he views himself as her “savior” and she would be nothing without him. It’s ingrained at this point, because that is what conditioning does. So, so sad.

    • Greenieweenie says:

      Some other gross things I wonder: Soonyi really hasn’t changed since the day they walked their first red carpet together (can’t believe I remember). She has always looked the same. Same hair, doesn’t wear makeup, doesn’t change. On the one hand, I think it’s great for women to not wear makeup if they please. On the other, I can’t help but think this is Woody’s way of keeping her looking like a teenager–exactly the way she was when he began preying on her.

    • Sam says:

      I’ve often wondered about his wife’s full capacity. Mia Farrow has stated in interviews that Soon-Yi got picked up in Korea after people found her eating out of the garbage. Doctors determined that she was severely malnourished and had been growth stunted due to her horrible living conditions. I’ve often wondered if she has any kind of cognitive or intellectual limitations as a result of that kind of thing. That type of thing would make it far, far easier for somebody to take advantage of her.

      • Teri says:

        I’ve always wondered that too. It would explain a lot!

      • Naya says:

        Iirc, Mia did say that she had diminished intellectual capacity. This was one of the (many) reasons why she was so angry. Woodys team naturally responded with “she just jealous, the new daughter/wife is smart enough to get into college”. Mia then explained that Soon Yi had always needed personalised tutoring.

        Apparently Soon Yi is above the legal threshold for capacity but just barely. I know someone like this; she is perfectly functional but incredibly gullible and very easily manipulated.

      • Sam says:

        Naya: I kind of suspected that, given that she’s kept so quiet. I know Mia has stated multiple times that Soon-Yi was subject to some really awful stuff in Korea and that she still has issues stemming from it. And college is not surprising. If nothing else, does nobody believe that Woody has enough money to grease some palms to help his wife get in? And that he couldn’t get her whatever services she needs to pass? The mere fact that she was able to graduate from college isn’t evidence that she has no issues. That makes him SO much worse now (and I thought very poorly of him before).

  5. AnnieRUOk says:

    Whether or not Woody is innocent, we’ll only have our instincts to guide us. The people who aren’t innocent are the actors and other people in the biz who continue to work with him without giving the allegations a second thought out of ignorance and greed.
    Kristen, jesse , Blake, you have your priorities in the wrong olace

  6. Tig says:

    Nothing that he doesn’t deserve! And the “sorry, hearing aids” excuse? So much ick- Cannes is really getting off to a crappy start,but it’s of their own making!

    • Giddy says:

      Agree!!! The “I can hear all questions about the movie, but if asked about allegations of rape or abuse my hearing aid goes out” bit. Let’s crowd source getting someone to at least throw a pie in his face!

  7. sofie says:

    The more sickening aspect of the industry is not only does it protect these men but also praises them. It’s about time people call them on it. The more the better, so they will never forget what they have done. Sad thing is this is just two men when there are many others still getting away with that behavior & being protected. The real truth of what goes on makes Bill Cosby & Jimmy Saville look like choirboys. Long for the day that all these monsters are exposed.

  8. roxane says:

    Well i’m so glad Laurent had the gut to tell that joke in front of the pervert. Surrended by those hypocrites.

  9. jess1632 says:

    The last three posts all have to do w the cafe society premiere and press conference. I feel like woody brought it all to Cannes the IT girl, the fashion girl and the drama (his). That is excellent PR I won’t forget the title Cafe Society

    • Brandi says:

      Right! Let’s hope that doesn’t matter and the movie stinks. Waiting for bad reviews. And for nobody to go see it. Even with all the press, I wouldn’t be caught dead going to that mess.

  10. Barrett says:

    If he was that talented he could think up another movie. I mean it’s just gender switching his story. The same story he tells over and over.

    He’s just a pervert living his real life story over and over on the big screen. Hollywood is nuts.

    • Bettyrose says:

      And he was pretty clear that the very idea of an older woman/younger man dynamic was pure comedy.

      Personally, I’m not interested in younger men, but howhard is it just to portray women as complex humans who exist for their own purposes and not merely to help men learn about themselves?

      • INeedANap says:

        That’s what got me — that he said it would have great comedic value. Screw him. He genuinely thinks it’s hilarious that a young man would want an older woman, while the rest of us are cringing at his fetishes for much younger women.

      • Kate says:

        All his recent films with a May December romance have been comedies. His more dramatic films tend to have older actors or actors of a similar age.

  11. Kate says:

    I don’t understand why reporters are almost afraid to ask celebrities about topics like this. Everyone knows about the situation and reports., what’s woody Allen gonna do? Walk out? Ok bye!!! Get offended? I think no one cares if he is offended.

    It’s like on the chyna/Rob thread, someone mentioned why didn’t they ask her about her drug felony?? Yeah, why? It’s a legitimate question.
    Celebs aren’t above or better than the questions about their situation that THEY put out in the world

    • Naya says:

      A celebrities clout with the media is based on who they are connected to. In Chynas case, an entertainment reporter may be reluctant to ask questions for fear of losing access to all the Kardashians.

      In Woodys case, its a thousand times worse. He has been with his team (PR, manager and agent) for a long time, all of whom are now major power players. You cross Woody, you could lose access to their mega wattage client list. He also has long time friends high up in the studio system and the New York media. Many of the younger higher ups grew up idolising him and many others are just as steeped in rape culture as the average person. Its the same toxic mix that protected Cosby and on a more local level Sandusky.

      • Kitten says:

        Yeah this is the main reason for sure–reporters don’t want to burn out their connections and get blacklisted. They need that access to maintain a career.

        Additionally, I think Hollywood has always tried to maintain an image of entertainment and lighthearted fun, to the point where they’ve gotten really good at sweeping the shady sh*t under the rug (see Greeniweenie’s link from yesterday’s thread). Keep in mind that this is a group effort-everybody wants to keep their meal ticket and nobody wants to rock the boat.

    • lisa2 says:

      There have been stories of celebrities getting reporters fired for asking them uncomfortable questions. Not to mention the PR people that control their clients. They not only pull one celeb; but use their other clients as weapons.. Not to mention too but they can keep certain reporters off RC events.

      • Kate says:

        We just need that one reporter that asks the questions everyone wants to know and mic drops it. Does care who they get blacklisted or even turns who blacklists them into a bigger story. Lol

      • Kitten says:

        You know, I wish it was that easy.
        The thing is, Allen has ZERO obligations to answer anybody’s questions. So sure, a reporter may be brave enough to ask, but in no way does that guarantee that Woody will answer. More likely, he’ll walk out on the interview.

      • Kate says:

        He’s been asked before. He won’t walk out, won’t get angry, won’t admit to anything. He really doesn’t care what people think of him.

        From a journalists perspective, there’s no point in asking. He’s not a Gibson/Penn type who might blow up and make that the story. He’ll be calm and give the exact same answers he gave when he was asked almost 25 years ago, which are barely worth reporting.

  12. Astrid says:

    I always think “Stockholm Syndrome” when I see Allen with his wife

    • Dangles says:

      I always think Stockholm Syndrome when I see working class people supporting Clinton or Trump.

  13. Bambilee23 says:

    I never thought I would appreciate a rape joke, but I really enjoyed this one- it implies that Allen behaves as if he is guilty. Glad someone dared say something.

  14. Rachel says:

    How can he say that an older woman/younger man love story would be ‘comic’ only when we’ve had to sit through countless films of younger women falling all over older men in his pretty much all of his highfalutin, pretentious movies to date?

    • Myrto says:

      Yep, that’s what I thought as well. “comic”? really? Why is that comic? Men dating younger women: nobody bats an eye. But an older woman and a younger man is “comic” apparently. Typical Woody Allen.

      • Bettyrose says:

        Yeah, I wouldn’t want to see Woody’s version of this film. A neurotic middle aged Manhattanite woman takes up with a young beefcake. Her elite friends don’t approve and comedy ensues.

        Final scene, she’s single again and stronger for it. Gets out of a cab on her way to a sophisticated evening and sees her beefcake ex with a young hottie. She smiles, knowing that all makes sense in the world again.

      • Marny says:

        He makes comedies. I’m not defending anything about his personal life but almost all of his movies (most older man/younger woman love stories) are comedies which is why he’s commenting about the comic possibilities of that type of relationship.

    • Fiorella says:

      Rachel I didn’t feel he was trying to mock those romances- took it that they would be comedies in the same way his movies about older men younger ladies romances are comedies. And if you watch his movies, he doesn’t seem to glorify it , it seems like people are assuming that here..

    • Rachel says:

      Of course he makes comedies – but of the ones I’ve seen, being admittedly not a die-hard Woody Allen fan, the comedy isn’t usually in the age gap between the older man and the younger man, but more the zany circumstances surrounding the relationship. For him to say there’s ‘comic’ possibility in an older woman-younger man relationship suggests that, to me, his take on that would exploit the age difference between the two rather than the circumstances of the relationship. I could very easily see a Woody Allen movie with an older woman trying to look young or hide her age from a younger lover, whereas that is never a concern with his other movies with much older gentlemen falling for young women.

  15. Zapp Brannigan says:

    Has anyone here seen the film “An Open Secret” by Amy Berg? I have it lined up in my to-watch list and wonder just how prepared I have to be when watching it, films like that are a tough watch but the voices in them need to be heard.

    Nothing to add about Creepy McCreepster here.

    • prissa says:

      @ZAPP – I have seen An Open Secret. It’s shocking and heartbreaking. I cried many times throughout. Horrible what REALLY happens to these young child actors.

  16. NewWester says:

    Remember when a comedian made a joke about Bill Cosby and then it seemed that all the stories about his assaults of women began to be taken seriously and women came forward? I have to wonder if something similar will happen to Woody Allen.
    Bill Cosby went years as “America’s Dad” and media darling, then over a fairly short period of time his reputation and career went down in flames.
    The situation is different with Woody Allen but allegations of sexual assault proven or otherwise are taken much more seriously theses days.
    When you see his Hollywood supporters start to turn their backs on him then you know it will be game over for him

  17. Josefina says:

    It’s about time someone called him out on it. Throw all the jokes and questions at him, over and over again. He should be behind bars anyway, so bringing up the issue is hardly unfair to him.

  18. Tallia says:

    Each time an actor or actress chooses to work with either of them I lose a respect for them and look at them in a new light. If actors/actresses would simply take a stand and say “I don’t feel comfortable working with until the allegations are addressed” it would force the media and Polanski/Allen to deal with the allegations in some fashion. Instead, as Hollywood does with many issues that involve women, heads are buried in the sand and ears are plugged. If you can’t see it or hear it it must not exist. Sad.

  19. Truthful says:

    Laurent Lafitte is a national gem, he is handsome, super charming, witty and has balls ! I just love him more now! swoon! and he is a super feminist and loud about it!

    ps: and he lives in my neighborhood so I have the chance to see him at least twice a month… super swoon…so so charming!

    ps: And you know what I loved more during this joke ? that the french stars didn’t even hide to laugh out loud (Alice Taglioni was pissing her pants! Excellent! loved it! And that people applaused louder to that joke! Just excellent!

    • Kitten says:

      Jealous!
      He’s sooooo cute when he’s clean-shaven (even better when he’s rocking a beard).
      I can’t with that moustache though–although my mother would say that it is “very French” 😉

      • Truthful says:

        Yes he is better looking when shaved and messy hair (his everyday style) he has plenty of twinkle in his eyes and that smile… plus he is a “normal person” in real life -: talks with the waiter about random things, play with little kids, interacts with dogs, smile to people… he is super charming and normal in real life! I adore him!

        ps: the moustache is very “hipster” in France right now, the equivalent to the “williamsburg/ silver lake ‘s beard” 😉

  20. OhDear says:

    Good. A little shaming is the least that he deserves.

  21. Vaya says:

    Why are these actors still working with him? Stop validating this criminal’s repetitive work.

    • Josefina says:

      While I do think actors who work with him should be called out, I also think people greatly overestimate how powerful they actually are within the industry. Keep in mind the biggest names at Hollywood are not famous, and they are the ones who can truly make or break careers. Woody has made friends with the higher-ups. I’m pretty sure he wouldn’t really feel that threatened if Emma Stone or Cate Blanchett decided not working for him.

      • Vaya says:

        That rationale doesn’t make me feel any better. I understand what you are saying. It still sickens me though.

      • lucy2 says:

        I don’t think they need to make a big stink about it (though I’d love it if one did) but they can simply decline the role and say they aren’t interested in the film.

      • Josefina says:

        @lucy2

        And I agree, especially since Woody isn’t exactly Marvel and critically he’s not doing that good either. My point was Woody still has a career because producers are funding his movies, not because actors are acting in them.

    • Magnoliarose says:

      Many years ago someone had a blog where they exposed Disney and explained why many of the child actors in Hollywood have problems. Many of them had parents that were willing to turn the other way when unsavory things went on. The comment section was seriously disturbing. People kept coming forward telling what they knew or experienced personally and they named big names. It didn’t sound like a bunch of nuts especially after Ron Pearlman was exposed for what he did to the boys in his boy bands. Someone posted about it before the story broke.
      It suddenly disappeared.
      It was around the time Britney lost it and nude photos of Vanessa Hudgens came out. Terrible things about Lindsey Lohan and her mother were revealed.

  22. Green Is Good says:

    Truth hurts, don’t it, Woodyee?

  23. Lise says:

    Wow these threads have been going crazy over the past couple of days, my iPad has crashed just looking at all of the comments!

    Abuse is a life sentance, for anyone, whether it is acknowledged or not. Its just the nature of the beast.

    But! The question is would the old guy be suitably punished by being inserted into the middle or arse end of a human centipede? (The director Tom Six said this would be the perfect punishment for child molesters, and he’s right!).

  24. Starkiller says:

    I think people are hearing what they want to hear. He’s definitely slamming Woody, but I’m not interpreting it as a slam on his creepiness. We’re so eager (as we should be!) for someone to slam Woody as he deserves that we’re misinterpreting the “joke”.

    • Truthful says:

      No he WAS slamming Woody Allen, Laurent Lafitte is unknow in the US but not in France and he is pretty clear on how he stands on the Polanski issue, so that was a direct punch at Allen, and there is no doubt from his reaction afterward and from the french stars who were bursting in laughter openly.

      Few french stars have international ambitions and they are the ones playing the Hollywood game, the others since not interested are a lot freer to express themselves, Audrey Tautou or Juliette Binoche are also very “ballsy” in interviews, and a lot a lot of them (who are unknown in the US) are quite open about a lot of things (politics, money, lifestyle, etc). We are a different culture where actors ARE NOT entertainers, but artists, so they better be good and not just decorative.;)

      • Gin says:

        No he wasn’t & he has expressly said he wasn’t. He was talking about American Puritanism because apparently an objection to sexual molestation & drugging & raping children is puritanical. This guy is part of the problem not the solution.

  25. serena says:

    The rape joke was appropriate, what was not is the lack of questions about it during the press conferences. It’s just a shame, I don’t believe the news arrived ‘late’, they all just seems too afraid to ask.
    As for Woody’s comment: “a perfectly valid comic idea,” but it wasn’t really his field. “I just don’t have any material. I don’t have anything really to draw on. But I wouldn’t hesitate if I had a good story.”.. sure, he finds it ‘comic’ because it’s impossible in his mind? Wtf! And he doesn’t have any material, meaning experience? That’s just gross all over.

  26. lisa2 says:

    Woody Allen lives in a bubble. He has a small life and for the most part he is living it outside of the mainstream. He has been making films for years. To date he is still able to get actors to work with him and the critics are not destroying his films for the most part. In Woody’s everyday world these questions and attacks are not an ongoing occurrence. When this promotion is over Woody is going to go back to his BUBBLE and everyone not inside will be left to keep talking.

    One of the questions I have is why studios are still hiring him and distributing his films.

  27. Frosty says:

    It’s beyond disturbing to me that Allen has gone on to adopt 2 more daughters with Soon Yi.

  28. Art says:

    Soon-Yi, why aren’t you smiling? At all.

  29. Christin says:

    Clearly delusional in so many ways. He truly believes he’s youthful, spry, etc.? One eye looks like it is infected or about to close at any moment and the piece mentions his bad hearing.

    Oh, live until 100 with Ronan and others reminding the world about the past.

  30. sar says:

    Vivre les mots de Lafitte!

  31. Zaytabogota says:

    Investigators at the time believed the child had been coached. It’s very easy to convince a young child that something happened. Woody has always vehemently denied the allegations. I don’t see why anybody should be ostracised and lose their livelihood because of an unproven allegation. That is not justice, we have the right to due process for a reason, innocent until proven guilty. A hate campaign should not be allowed to override that.

    • Josefina says:

      I was gonna reply in detail, but I’m tired and I know someone else will say what I was planning to say. So I’ll just keep it short: The Dylan situation wasn’t a minor and exceptional incident. Many other stories have been told about Woody’s depraved ways. The guy has a very questionable reputation. And rumors aside, he did marry his adopted daughter. You don’t think there’s anything bizarre about that?

    • Sandy says:

      “Prove” molestation of a child? The child is always disbelieved, the psychologists are always coaching, the mother always has bad motives, etc., etc., etc. So by your standard, no one is ever “proven” guilty unless someone witnessed it, which they almost never do.

      I’m glad shits getting real for molesters. About time!

    • KBL says:

      “Investigators at the time believed the child had been coached” – absolutely untrue. This is simply propaganda Allen’s people put out. There are multiple resources online that document what investigators and the judge actually thought at the time.

  32. lesbastardsmiserables says:

    Not a joke, the guy was calling him out in front of all his peers. This is exactly what needs to happen more often!!

  33. kri says:

    All predators, as soon as they are caught or called out, immediately revert to being a “victim”. Of the press, of society, of the accuser..you name it, they will come up with a way-an excuse to not take the blame. F*ck you, Allen.

  34. Giddy says:

    There is a very interesting article on Jezebel about WA’s publicist Leslee Dart. She has worked for years to clean up his image. (She’s the one who banned The Hollywood Reporter from the news conference.) The article goes into her methods for protecting clients, and the lady takes no enemies!

  35. Tessd says:

    Why doesn’t the girl he was sexually abusing file a report? I don’t know how this story went but I think it doesn’t matter that it happened years ago and she certainly should consider take this pervert to court.

  36. Cindy Lou says:

    Oh Dear God, just when I thought my stomach could not turn any more …

    Please everyone look up Allen’s dating history.

    First wife was 16, he was 21. At that age, that is like someone just barely out of childhood and a real adult. Also please note she was exquisite and later became a very smart and lovely woman.

    Second, Louise Lasser, age appropriate. At that time, fabulous good looks with long red hair and one of the smartest, most lively women around.

    Well known long term girlfriends – Stacey Nelkin, 30 year age difference she was beautiful and sparkling, and very smart. Diane Keaton, 30 year age difference, beautiful, famously outgoing and charming and as smart as they come. Also, Mariel Hemingway (whom he made say the line “you can fu… me in the ass”, while they lay naked in bed in that movie) has publicly and in great detail reported how he incessantly creeped on her including waking up to find him kneeling by her bed when he was visiting her parents house. I believe she was 16. Mariel was beautiful and deeply and thoughtfully intelligent.

    So now he is married to a very plain woman with low intelligence and no charm or wit. A woman with at least some and perhaps a lot of hard-wired by an abusive childhhod, emotional intelligence deficits. A girl who would accept attention and touching believing it was love at any age. He HAD to marry her. If she ever spoke out what would she say? How very young was she when he began using her?

  37. Blackbetty says:

    How was he ever legally allowed to keep his children with Soon Yi? I don’t get it. She comes across as blank and no opinion- ever? She always looks unhappy, despite being with him for years and years.