Sunday, February 02, 2014

Woody Allen, Once More, Accused of Sexual Molestation




File photo of Woody Allen (27 August 2013)
Filmmaker Woody Allen has always rejected allegations of molestation

The adopted daughter of Woody Allen has renewed claims the filmmaker "sexually abused" her as a child in 1992. In an open letter, Dylan Farrow accuses Allen of molesting her in a "dim, closet-like attic" at the age of seven.  Ms Farrow, now 28, also criticizes Hollywood's continued celebration of "a predator [who] brought chaos into our home".

Allen was investigated over the abuse allegations at the time of the incident, but was not charged.

A panel of psychologists, appointed by US prosecutors and the police, concluded that Dylan had not been molested. The case caused controversy when a prosecutor later said there had been "probably cause" to charge Allen, but he had chosen not to, in order to protect the child.

The movie director has always maintained his innocence. He has previously accused Dylan's mother, Mia Farrow, of fabricating the claims after their highly publicized break-up in 1992. Dylan Farrow opens her letter, published on the New York Times website, by asking: "What's your favourite Woody Allen movie? Before you answer, you should know: when I was seven years old, Woody Allen took me by the hand and led me into a dim, closet-like attic on the second floor of our house.

"He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother's electric train set. Then he sexually abused me".

File photo of Mia Farrow (15 January 2013)
  Mia Farrow was in a relationship with Woody Allen for 12 years
Ms Farrow, who now lives in Florida under a different name, said she developed an eating disorder and was self-harming following the incident.

"That he got away with what he did to me haunted me as I grew up," she writes.


Of the panel who dismissed her claims back in 1992, Ms Farrow says: "Sexual abuse claims against the powerful stall more easily. There were experts willing to attack my credibility."

She said she decided to break her silence after two decades, when Woody Allen's latest film, Blue Jasmine, was nominated for an Oscar last week.


Ms Farrow explained that Hollywood had made her "torment worse" by turning "a blind eye" to her story.

"Each time I saw my abuser's face - on a poster, on a t-shirt, on television - I could only hide my panic until I found a place to be alone and fall apart. But this time, I refuse to fall apart," she says.

"Woody Allen is a living testament to the way our society fails the survivors of sexual assault and abuse".

Ms Farrow also takes aim against actors who have appeared in Allen's movies.

"What if it had been your child, Cate Blanchett? You knew me when I was a little girl, Diane Keaton. Have you forgotten me?"

Last month, Diane Keaton accepted a lifetime achievement award for Woody Allen, who has a reputation for being notoriously reclusive. Her move sparked a major debate on social networks. It drew heavy criticism from Allen's biological son with Mia Farrow, Ronan, who tweeted:

"Missed the Woody Allen tribute - did they put the part where a woman publicly confirmed he molested her at age 7 before or after Annie Hall?"

File photo of Ronan Farrow (22 September 2011)
Ronan Farrow has been estranged from his father for many years
Ms Farrow's letter has already sent ripples through Hollywood. Blue Jasmine star Cate Blanchett responded to the piece saying: "It's obviously been a long and painful situation for the family and I hope they find some resolution and peace."

It also drew strong responses from US media, including Wall Street Journal columnist Tom Gara who described the letter as the "end of Woody Allen".

Meanwhile, hosts at the Writers Guild Awards ceremony included references to the scandal in their puns on Saturday night.

Actress Mia Farrow became romantically involved with Woody Allen in the early 1980s. The pair, who never married and kept separate homes, jointly adopted Dylan and her brother, Moses. The couple split in 1992 amid revelations that Allen had an affair with another adopted daughter of Mia Farrow, Soon-Yi.


The molestation allegations surfaced shortly after the breakup.

At the time, Woody Allen released a public statement, calling the claims "an unconscionable and gruesomely damaging manipulation of innocent children for vindictive and self-serving motives".
I wonder what he calls them now.

2 comments:

  1. I for one believes Ms. Farrow , why you ask ?
    Woody married Soon-Yi and it's been rumored that he sexually assaulted other kids but the parents was paid off .
    As I often said 'Money talks and Bullshit walks' .
    Woody is rich and famous and he know people so it makes it easy for him to sweep shit under the rug .

    Ronan Farrow came out against Diane Keaton for accepting the award for Woody , I think the ugly bastard is as guilty as home made sin .

    I think that's the reason why Mia got rid of the bastard , Woody showed his true colors by marrying Soon-Yi , he should be hung by his nuts , and yes I hope this is the end of him and all the rest like him ...
    Nuff said .
    Good post PIC

    PS: Cubs left you notes on WB .

    ReplyDelete
  2. I have to agree with you PIC. I always felt he married Soon-yi to cover up the fact that he had been molesting her for years. He got away with it too.
    I am glad the family is sticking together on this and hope they bring him down. His time has come...goodbye Woody.
    Thanks PIC

    ReplyDelete

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