Woody Allen Responds To Harvey Weinstein Claims Despite Farrow, Stepdaughter Controversies

Hollywood director and writer Woody Allen responded to the situation of mogul Harvey Weinstein, saying he is sad for the man and the women he allegedly sexually harassed and assaulted.

“The whole Harvey Weinstein thing is very sad for everybody involved,” Allen told the BBC. “Tragic for the poor women that were involved, sad for Harvey that [his] life is so messed up.”

Over two dozen women including well-known actresses like Gwyneth Paltrow and Ashley Judd, have accused Weinstein of sexual harassment and sexual abuse. These women allege Weinstein had a pattern of getting actresses alone under the guise of a business meeting and then making sexually explicit requests of the women often insinuating the power he had in the movie industry.

Allen who has long worked with Weinstein said he was unaware of the allegations.

“No one ever came to me or told me horror stories with any real seriousness,” said Allen. “And they wouldn't, because you are not interested in it. You are interested in making your movie.”

Allen had faced sexual assault allegation of his own, from his adopted daughter Dylan Farrow, who was a toddler when he allegedly abused her. Allen said that he hopes Hollywood changes for the better, but doesn’t turn in to a “witch hunt.”

“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,” said Allen. “But sure, you hope that something like this could be transformed into a benefit for people rather than just a sad or tragic situation.”

Weinstein’s accusations coupled with Allen’s new film, “Wonder Wheel” which premiered Saturday have turned the spotlight back on the director.

Farrow published a difficult open letter in the New York Times in 2014 detailing the alleged abuse at the hands of her adoptive father.

“He sexually assaulted me,” she wrote.

Actor Griffin Newman on Saturday caused a social media uproar on Twitter when he said that he regrets working on Allen’s next movie because he feels the director is guilty.

“I need to get this off my chest: I worked on Woody Allen’s next movie, I believe he is guilty, I donated my entire salary to [the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network],” the actor wrote.

Both Allen and Weinstein have denied the allegations against them, and neither has been found guilty of a crime.