TRIGGER WARNING: this article mentions sexual assault, rape, and child abuse.
Accusations of sexual assault obviously aren’t out of the ordinary, but when the accused is an award-winning filmmaker, people take notice. The question then arises of whether we can still appreciate the art of a man accused of such a terrible crime.
Since February 1st, when Dylan Farrow, 28, released an open letter on Nicholas Kristof’s blog on The New York Times claiming that her father Woody Allen molested her at the age of seven, the internet has been flooded with response articles – including one from Allen himself.
Before I go any further, let me be clear: I believe Dylan. Allen says in his response letter, “I found the idea so ludicrous I didn’t give it a second thought” in regards to when Mia Farrow first accused Allen of molesting Dylan over twenty years ago. But to me, claiming that a seven year-old could be brainwashed by her mother into believing that she was sexually assaulted is what really seems ludicrous. A seven-year old may be impressionable, but not to the point that her mother could convince her for twenty-one years that her father raped her. I just can’t wrap my head around that explanation. Why is it easier for some to believe that a child’s mother was so manipulative that she would brainwash her child than that a father, albeit a famous one, sexually abused his adopted daughter?
Woody Allen’s latest film Blue Jasmine has an Oscar nomination for Best Original Screenplay, his 16th nomination in the category. At the Golden Globes last month, he received a lifetime achievement award. He wasn’t at the ceremony, but Diane Keaton paid tribute to him, ironically enough praising him for writing strong female characters. The part of Dylan’s letter that resonated the most with me was when she addressed Keaton, along with other stars in Allen films. She asks, “What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? Louis CK? Alec Baldwin? What if it had been you, Emma Stone? Or you, Scarlett Johansson? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?”
A person’s fame and success has the ability manipulate people’s reaction to issues like sexual assault. Stars of Allen’s films must be aware of the sexual assault accusations, yet it’s easy to look the other way when you have the opportunity to work under a famed director. People in positions of power and wealth are more likely to be let off the hook. R Kelly has a nearly two decade history of sexually abusing underage girls, yet a couple weeks ago he performed at Clive Davis’ pre-show gala before the Grammy’s. His song Do What U Want with Lady Gaga is currently number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 list.
Even outside of pop culture, venerable figures are usually held less accountable for their actions, especially in cases of sexual assault. In 2011, Penn State fans were shocked when assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was charged of sexually abusing at least eight underage boys. Although not directly involved in the abuse, head coach Joe Paterno was fired after an investigation concluded that he concealed facts regarding Sandusky. Many fans were more upset their beloved head coach was fired than the fact that the football program – including Paterno – ignored years of sexual abuse.
Discussions about sexual assault and rape are never easy, but when the abuser is someone you love or admire, the conversation is even less palatable. Obviously I can’t control whether or not you continue to watch Woody Allen movies. But if you do decide to spend money on his movies, you’re just contributing to his success. By purchasing tickets to see a Woody Allen movie, or buying a R. Kelly song, you’re disregarding all the people they’ve hurt. You’re empowering the perpetrator, while disempowering the victim.
Megan is a freshman Writing, Literature & Publishing major from sunny Scottsdale, Arizona. She enjoys red lipstick, kombucha, cats, and driving her Volkswagen Beetle named Sasha. She also pretends she's Marina & the Diamonds in her spare time. You can contact Megan on her Twitter orFacebook.
Image source: nytimes.com