The disgraced Hollywood mogul claims that he produced more movies directed by and about women than any filmmaker.
Harvey Weinstein, who is currently under investigation following dozens of sex crime investigations that led to the rise of the #MeToo movement, has hit out at his public perception, noting that he feels like “the forgotten man”.
Speaking with the New York Post, the disgraced Weinstein made the claim that he did a lot more for women in cinema than he has been given credit for.
As of December 2019, the 67-year-old stands accused of multiple sex crimes, having been charged with rape and other sexual assault offences.
“I feel like the forgotten man,” he said.
“I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I’m talking about 30 years ago. I’m not talking about now when it’s vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it!
“It all got eviscerated because of what happened. My work has been forgotten.”
Weinstein conducted the interview in a medical clinic following spinal surgery.
At one point, he hailed The Weinstein Company for its purportedly progressive nature, stating:
“This was a company that took social issues and tackled them.”
Weinstein also highlighted his charity work and threatened to shut the interview down whenever a question that he didn’t approve of was fielded.
“I want this city to recognise who I was instead of what I’ve become,” he lamented.
Over 80 women have come forward to date with allegations against Weinstein.
Last week, Weinstein and his legal team reportedly reached a tentative $25 million dollar sentiment with over 30 of his accusers, a development that he refused to discuss in the exclusive sit-down with the New York Post.
In response to the interview, the Time’s Up group released a statement, arguing that Weinstein is attempting to “gaslight society” with his comments.
“Harvey Weinstein is trying to gaslight society again,” the statement begins.
“He says in a new interview he doesn’t want to be forgotten. Well, he won’t be. He will be remembered a sexual predator and an unrepentant abuser who took everything and deserves nothing.
“He will be remembered by the collective will of countless women who stood up and said enough. We refuse to let this predator rewrite his legacy of abuse.”
In response to an interview published today in @nypost's @PageSix, 23 women who came forward to report Harvey Weinstein’s sexual misconduct have issued the following statement: pic.twitter.com/lX1E2W2KWT
— TIME'S UP (@TIMESUPNOW) December 16, 2019
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