Yes, I know yesterday was July 4th, but I'm writing this yesterday so my title is appropriate.
Here's what I've decided to do about Woody Allen movies:
I'm not going to stop watching the movies he made that I love, such as Annie Hall, Manhattan, Radio Days, Hannah and Her Sisters, and Midnight in Paris. Art can transcend the artist.
However, I'm not going to watch any movies that he makes in the future. I'm also not going to purchase any of his movies on DVD.
I believe Dylan Farrow, who has a very specific recollection of him molesting her when she was a child. I don't care that he was acquitted. So was O.J. Simpson.
Her brother Ronan also stands by her, and he played a big part in breaking the Harvey The Rapist news (I'll be writing more about that very soon).
I'm going to continue watching movies made by Harvey Wienerstein's company because I don't think he'll ever make another movie––may he rot in prison with Bill Cosby.
Infinities of love,
Janie Junebug
Franklin, Penelope, and I are quite miserable because of the fireworks.
Seems like a fair compromise.
ReplyDeletegood decision.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteOne individual not watching a previously made movie has no impact on the person who made it. (Unless that person would have to rent or buy to watch) The impact will be felt by networks or theaters who refuse to run their past or present movies, because of public outcry.
ReplyDeleteAs a nation we have granted "celebrities" far to many privileges and either accepted or condoned things we would never accept from people in our everyday realm. (I am talking about more than just sexual abuse here) Personally I don't know how to put the brakes on a bus that is already speeding down hill, unless there is a collective stomping on the brakes together.
Well said, Anne.
DeleteGood for you. I understand your dilemma though. I used to like The 9th Gate, with Johnny Depp, until I found out it was directed by Roman Polanski, so I stopped watching it. I always feel bad watching, or listening to content that was made by someone with serious and offensive accusations against them.
ReplyDeleteRoman Polanski is another conundrum. The woman he molested when she was very young is well into adulthood and she wants charges against him dropped. I actually think it's a bit of a comfort that some of these men who have committed such egregious crimes are getting older and won't be working much longer--perhaps won't be living much longer.
DeleteSeems like a reasonable compromise. It's hard to ignore the back stories when they surface, yet as you said in your last post, if we boycotted everything created by people who've done bad stuff, there'd be nothing left to watch or read or listen to. Or eat. Or wear. Etc.
ReplyDeleteJenny O said it all for me!!
ReplyDeleteShe's pretty darn smart.
DeleteIt sounds like a good plan. Whatever works for you best, that's the way to go.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Martha.
DeleteI never knew who Harvey Weinstein even was until the big news came out about him. I know very little about directors or producers, etc. Since he won't be making any other movies I guess I really don't want a list of what movies he made. I'd rather be left in the dark, I guess, on that score. I don't buy movies, but that's right--I do rent them from Netflix. Conundrum. Luckily I mostly watch TV series and I don't think he was involved with those, was he?
ReplyDeleteI used to love Mel Gibson and haven't watched anything of his for years--before him shooting off his drunken mouth. He had changed publicly before that in what he filmed and starred in.
I try not to support any of the ones I know about. The hardest one right now for me is Kevin Spacey. I have loved him as an actor and he's been in so many movies that are classics to me. But most of those were made before 2000--like Pay It Forward, etc. I was watching House of Cards, but he played an awful person in that series. I heard he was fired, anyways, so not sure if they will continue without him. I doubt we will see him again, regardless.
Charlie Rose! It was like hearing Mr. Rogers was walking around in his skivvies in the Neighborhood of Make Believe! I wasn't a devotee, but I won't watch if he ever comes back on PBS.
I wish the government was a quick to react as Hollywood has been.
I don't want anything to do with Mel Gibson's work, but that's an easy choice. I never liked him anyway.
DeleteI knew who the Weinstein brothers were.
DeleteWhen someone's lifestyle personal offends me, I won't put money in their pocket on a go-forward basis if I can help it. But stuff they did years ago? Not so much. I'm not going to stop listening to Wagnerian music just because he was an anti-Semitic asshole when he was alive. His music is still great. Bill Cosby's comedy routines and TV shows were enjoyable, regardless of what a behind-the-scenes scumbag he turned out to have been. I don't avoid old films Harvey Weinstein was associated with. I'll feel differently if he ever starts producing again, however.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. I don't think Harvey will produce ever again.
DeleteI can only echo everyone else's take on watching older movies vs future works by disgraced actors/producers/etc. The only harm would be in supporting them going forward once you know what they've done.
ReplyDeleteYes.
DeleteThe artist makes the art. It does not transcend him, it is him (or her). I think watch it because you like it, and skip the excuse. State the point at which your support ends. I wonder if your new eye will affect your sense and enjoyment of the old hits.
ReplyDeleteThat remains to be seen. Not a bad pun?
DeleteWe are free to watch/read/listen as we wish. This is different from a government or corporation silencing someone whose life choices they don't like. These folks count on their likability to a great extent.
ReplyDeleteThere was a huge debate in my place of birth (israel) about playing Richard Wagner's music. Mind you, he was not only a rabid anti-semite (as The Silver Fox above mentioned) and a (by then dead) hero to the Nazi regime, but in his lifetime he never met a friend's wife he didn't seduce, or try hard to. Yet most musicologists felt his music was glorious.
So, what to do? After many years, the Israeli philharmonic did play his music, to some protest.
When it comes to Woody Allen, I honor his best work and will continue to because I am not clear about his guilt regarding a sex act with a prepubescent little girl, something that rarely happens only once and with only one small child and one involving a bitter custody struggle. (I don't care for trial by hysteria and media) b I am clear he is a flawed person (who isn't?) with unhealthy lust for ladies much too young to be real life partners, going way back. Your favorite movie, Manhattan, was written as an homage to a then real relationship with a teen. But the thing is, the works are not his alone. Like Kevin Spacey's, mentioned by Rita, these works are not only these individuals'. they are the works of the many who helped them to the theatre: other actors, cinematographers, musicians, and more. I am boycotting nothing.
But, incidentally, I am relieved this is being aired out. the possibility this brings some solace to victims would be enough. But if it causes some working men to think twice before they greet coworkers in a bathrobe and ask for a massage is even better. (What's with that modus operandi? Phooey!) We needed to have this conversation going forward.
Well said, as usual.
DeleteHey! I thought I was the only one who didn't like fireworks! Happy to know you!
ReplyDeleteI have never really liked Woody Allen's movies, don't know why that is, but glad now that I don't ! :-) Nothing against anyone who does, of course, they just never appealed to me.
We are so sick of fireworks.
DeleteSounds very reasonable. Always tough to figure out what to do about these men. I'm not totally able to separate the art and artist, but the art is also more than just one person's .... I like the idea of enjoying past things, but not supporting him going forward.
ReplyDeleteIt takes many people to create a movie or TV series.
DeleteThat seems reasonable. Fireworks and pets do not mix and I'm sorry your holiday was spoiled by them. Happy Independence Day, regardless.
ReplyDeletePenelope was in the backyard and in the middle of a poop when someone lit up firecrackers. The poor girl had to stop what she was doing to run inside to safety.
DeleteWhat The Silver Fox said and, of course, what you said. Art can transcend the artist. So true. All artists are flawed, except the ones who can keep a secret. Do you know what I mean?
ReplyDeleteI can't keep a secret.
DeleteYes, fireworks and pets are mortal enemies. I also don't much like fireworks. If it is far I can appreciate it but not nearby fireworks.
ReplyDeletehope you are okay!
ReplyDeleteSince they legalized the sale and private use of fireworks in nh, every day seems to be a good day for them. a few weeks ago (long long after the 4th someone was setting off fireworks from about ten PM to nearly midnight. Randomly. BLAM BLAM. loooonnnggg wait BLAM BLAM...too far apart to call the cops, too close together to ease into them.
ReplyDeleteIt was a very long night.
Just last night someone had a cookout, apparently, some REALLY loud music, and about ten minutes of left over snappy sparklers. I just LOVE the 4th of July.
You just need a sound booth. You think I'm kidding. I'm not. Nice little doggy bed in a sound suppressed room, and you're set.
ReplyDelete