How the documentary about Harvey Weinstein made me disgustingly angry

It's all anyone is talking about in New York: this week the trial against Harvey Weinstein begins, the film producer who did the most horrific things to women for years. The powerful creep who always got away with it. The man I had never really looked into until yesterday – gulp – yes, let me just be honest right away. I mean: of course I knew that sexual allegations against him were the beginning of an era that would later be called MeToo, but who the best man really is, how much power he had, and how badly he actually abused that power, was always a bit vague to me.

Until colleague Sharon told me yesterday: ‘Look. Watch the documentary about him: Untouchable.’ So I did. And I must say: my hair stood on end. Now I can imagine that there are – just like me – people who haven't really looked into Harvey. Because it might have felt like a far-from-your-bed-show. Because you never knew the best man. Because you ‘didn't have time for it’. But staying informed while the rest closes their eyes is leading the way. So. Harvey Weinstein for Dummies. How could he operate unpunished for so long?

What you need to know first things first is that Mr. was ‘the king’ of Hollywood for years.
The film shows how Weinstein, along with his brother Bob, owner of Miramax films, builds a reputation. No, he may not have been particularly attractive, but he did have charisma. With his charms, he managed to win everyone over. Did you want to make it as an actress? Sooner or later, you had to deal with Harvey. I mean: his films won Oscars. His production company was bought by Disney. His money tree seemed to grow by the day. People with power will always be surrounded by others hoping to get a piece of the success. That's not strange, that's human.

What is inhuman is what Harvey did with that power...

For years, he invites women to his hotel suites. Sometimes with an excuse: ‘I still have to work, come to my room I have a big business suite’, sometimes under the guise of an afterparty to discuss a role or have a drink. Once inside, he tests every time how far he can go. Either he says he has a stiff neck, followed by a request for a massage, or he simply asks if the actress in question wants to show her breasts. Several actresses smell something fishy and flee like the wind from his suite, while other victims freeze in fear and are then touched or worse: raped.

What Mr. is extremely good at is manipulating, bluffing, and threatening.
When women indicate that they have a boyfriend and want nothing to do with him, he casually responds with: ‘Honey, this is Hollywood. Everyone does it with each other. I’m not surprised by anything’, ‘If you embarrass me now, I’ll make sure you never work again’ and: ‘You have no idea who I am..’ are also among his most popular lines. The film makes it clear that Mr. suffers from a massive megalomania and even calls himself The Sheriff in Town.

And then where it went wrong: no one dared to speak up.

Kicking someone with so much money, power, and status in the shins, oops, yes, most people didn't dare to touch that. When a few actresses did share their stories, they were bought off within 48 hours by a large army of lawyers from Harvey. Just sign for a confidentiality agreement and you’re $250,000 richer, hurray. Did you as a journalist dig into his private life? Then you got a detective on your back and threatening phone calls. Sir the Sheriff got it all covered.

Journalists had been trying for years to create a story around the film producer, but sources were always too afraid to speak.
Or they had already been bought off. So it was very difficult to orchestrate the downfall of this man. In 2017, there were a few women brave enough to break the patterns. Since then, he has been accused by dozens of women of intimidation, blackmail, assault, and rape. Even stars like Angelina Jolie and Gwyneth Paltrow have admitted to being harassed by Harvey at the beginning of their careers.

And now? Now the trial begins.

Whether Weinstein will actually be convicted is still the question. The charges against Weinstein are so severe that the penalty is almost equivalent to murder. This means that there can be no question of doubt if he is to be convicted. Despite the fact that around eighty women indicate they have been sexually abused, only two women have filed a case. Many intimidations have also expired because women have kept quiet for years, and other witnesses are bound by a settlement with Weinstein in which they have made a confidentiality agreement. You understand: this is complicated.

At the preliminary hearing, he appeared this week with a walker because he had surgery on his back.
Mr. seems to want to evoke some sympathy, but with his statements in the hospital, he immediately makes himself unpopular. He gave an interview there in which he said that all women have forgotten ‘how much he has done for them’. Gwyneth Paltrow (one of the women who has publicly spoken out against him) would, according to him, never have achieved so much fame without him.

What stands out: although it is a huge case, it is not broadcast live on TV as is customary in America.
This is probably related to the privacy surrounding victims. Actress and victim Rose McGowan was one of the attendees at the preliminary hearing. ‘Harvey, regardless of what lies you tell yourself, you know that you have all this on your conscience. Lady Justice is looking at a super predator. At you,’ she said. Additionally, so far, 150 journalists have signed up to be present at the case.

On the second day of the trial, the judge threatened to revoke his bail and put Harvey in jail.
Mr. was caught using his mobile phone at the moment the jury selection began, against the agreements. ‘Is this really how you want to end up in prison for the rest of your life, by texting and violating a court order?’ asked Judge James Burke, visibly angry. He told Weinstein not to answer. Nevertheless, Harvey has been released on bail for now, although he must wear an electronic ankle bracelet.

Nice thought: even if he is not convicted, Weinstein will probably never be able to work again.

He has already been immediately fired from his own company. His wife Georgina announced in October 2018 that she wanted a divorce after a ten-year marriage. She asks for privacy for herself and the children.

Anyway, if you want to delve into the whole Weinstein drama this week: watch Untouchable. A plea for breaking the silence. Finally. And about that whole process, I can only say one thing: if this man is not convicted, then something is really wrong in the world, it seems to me...