How the mighty have fallen. In a matter of hours following Harvey Weinstein taking leave from the company that he co-founded with his brother Bob in 2005, the man regarded as a "super producer" has been terminated from his role with the organization.
The Weinstein Company would point to general misconduct as the official line of reasoning, but it comes amid a string of sexual harassment allegations that has lingered over the studio for a number of weeks and months. Weinstein would rise to fame in the 1970s as a canny filmmaker in his own right and following a sale to Disney, the studio would be influential in the creation of such titles as Shakespeare in Love, Pulp Fiction, Gangs of New York, Lion and Silver Linings Playbook among many others.
Despite his strong history and family affiliation with the company, the pressure was too much and something had to give.
Harvey Is History as Weinstein Company Moves On<
Weinstein had been known in the business to have a short temper, yet one tell all article in The New York Times would shine a light on his shortcomings to leave a string of women feeling intimidated and uncomfortable to say the least. As more came forward to tell their side of the story, Weinstein's absence forced a sobering decision to be made as the studio released an announcement explaining his termination.
"In light of new information about misconduct by Harvey Weinstein that has emerged in the past few days, the directors of The Weinstein Company - Robert Weinstein, Lance Maerov, Richard Koenigsberg and Tarak Ben Ammar - have determined, and have informed Harvey Weinstein, that his employment with The Weinstein Company is terminated, effective immediately."
Ashley Judd Comments Fall Flat As Allegations Linger
Two of the most high profile individuals who spoke out against Weinstein would be Rose McGown and Ashley Judd, with both actresses citing the producer as unfit and unprofessional for his conduct. Just days before he would lose his role with his own company, he gave a less than satisfactory qualified apology to Judd to Page Six.
"I know Ashley Judd is going through a tough time right now, I read her book in which she talks about being the victim of sexual abuse and depression as a child. Her life story was brutal, and I have to respect her. In a year from now I am going to reach out to her," he said.
The interview would be something of an admission, but it would clearly fall flat of any type of sincerity.
"I also have the worst temper known to mankind, my system is all wrong, and sometimes I create too much tension. I lose it, and I am emotional, that's why I've got to spend more time with a therapist and go away. My temper makes people feel intimidated, but I don't even know when I'm doing it. In the past I used to compliment people, and some took it as me being sexual, I won't do that again. I admit to a whole way of behavior that is not good. I can't talk specifics, but I put myself in positions that were stupid, I want to respect women and do things better."
Source: Cinemablend, Page Six
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