Film

Susan Sarandon Is One Of The First Celebrities To Speak Out Against Woody Allen At Cannes

"I think he sexually assaulted a child."

by Meg Watson  16 May 2016

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This post discusses sexual assault.

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It’s been four days since Ronan Farrow’s appeal for Hollywood to call out his father Woody Allen on his prior sexual assault allegations, and things at Cannes are decidedly uncomfortable. Allen’s new film Cafe Society opened the festival (to middling reviews) and the opening night’s MC Laurent Lafitte kicked things off with a rape joke. Headlines have mostly consisted of the film’s stars rushing to Allen’s defence. Blake Lively went so far as to call him “empowering to women”.

Now, among the first celebrities to speak up with the opposite perspective, Susan Sarandon has offered her thoughts while receiving the Women In Motion award at a panel with Thelma and Louise co-star Geena Davis. “I have nothing good to say about Woody Allen, so I don’t think we should go there,” she said, once the director’s new film was raised by a reporter. Then, when pressed, she said: “I think he sexually assaulted a child and I don’t think that’s right… It’s gotten very quiet in here, but that’s true.”

Sarandon then declined to comment on the subject further and conversation moved on to broader politics (she’s an avid Bernie Sanders supporter and happily laid into both Donald Trump and Hillary Clinton). But her few words may be more important than they seem.

The allegations that Woody Allen sexually abused his daughter in the early ’90s (note: he was investigated but charges were never pursued), have been both public knowledge for decades and always discussed in a world separated from his films themselves. Actors offer passing comment on the struggle of his family but continue to work for him. His son and former partner tweet about it while he receives lifetime achievement awards. It now seems like that divide has ruptured.

When writing ahead of the festival, Ronan Farrow suggested Allen, his film’s stars and other actors and directors wouldn’t be discussing this alleged abuse along the red carpet. “They can trust that the press won’t ask them the tough questions. It’s not the time, it’s not the place, it’s just not done.” He was wrong about that (even though there were attempts made to prevent it from happening).

But he was right on another count: “We are witnessing a sea change in how we talk about sexual assault and abuse. But there is more work to do to build a culture where women like my sister are no longer treated as if they are invisible. It’s time to ask some hard questions.”

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Read Dylan Farrow’s 2014 open letter on Allen’s alleged abuse here.

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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.

Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.