Timothée Chalamet Joins the Stars *Finally* Speaking Out Against Woody Allen

One of 2017’s biggest breakout stars, actor Timothée Chalamet, has joined the ever-growing list of celebs speaking out against Woody Allen and we have to say—it’s about time. Chalamet, whose rise to fame started with his impressive turn in the critically beloved films Call Me By Your Name and Ladybird, announced via a statement on his Instagram account on January 15 that he will donate the salary from his follow-up film, the Allen-directed A Rainy Day in New York, to several charities, including Time’s Up and the anti-sexual violence group, RAINN.

Allen was accused in 1993 of molesting his daughter, Dylan Farrow, as a child and despite the allegations resurfacing over the years—most recently with Farrow’s 2014 New York Times open letter—Allen’s career has been largely unaffected. Farrow wrote another op-ed in the Los Angeles Times in December 2017 questioning “why the #MeToo revolution spared Woody Allen” and calling on Allen collaborators like Blake Lively, Kate Winslet and Greta Gerwig to publicly denounce her adoptive father.

In his Instagram post, Chalamet writes: “I have been asked in a few recent interviews about my decision to work on a film with Woody Allen last summer. I’m not able to answer the question directly because of contractual obligations. But what I can say is this: I don’t want to profit from my work on the film, and to that end, I am going to donate my entire salary to three charities: TIME’S UP, The LGBT Center in New York, and RAINN. I want to be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the brave artists who are fighting for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”

Chalamet joins the ranks of actor Rebecca Hall and Ladybird director, Greta Gerwig, in publicly denouncing Allen. Hall, who rose to stardom after her turn in Allen’s 2008 film, Vicky Cristina Barcelona, has a small role in A Rainy Day in New York and announced on January 12 that she will give her salary from the film to the Time’s Up legal defense fund. 

Hall apologized in the statement, saying, “The day after the Weinstein accusation broke in full force I was shooting a day of work on Woody Allen’s latest movie in New York. I couldn’t have imagined somewhere stranger to be that day. When asked to do so, some seven months ago, I quickly said yes. He gave me one of my first significant roles in film for which I have always been grateful, it was one day in my hometown—easy. I have, however subsequently realized there is nothing easy about any of this.”

The post continued: “In the weeks following I have thought very deeply about this decision, and remain conflicted and saddened. After reading and re-reading Dylan Farrow’s statements of a few days ago and going back and reading the older ones—I see, not only how complicated this matter is, but that my actions have made another woman feel silenced and dismissed. That is not something that sits easily with me in the current or indeed any moment, and I am profoundly sorry. I regret this decision and wouldn’t make the same one today. It’s a small gesture and not one intended as close to compensation but I’ve donated my wage to @timesup. I’ve also signed up, will continue to donate, and look forward to working with and being part of this positive movement towards change not just in Hollywood but hopefully everywhere. #timesup.”

For her part, Gerwig had evaded questions about Allen in previous interviews, most recently after the Golden Globes when she said: “It’s something that I’ve thought deeply about, and I care deeply about. I haven’t had an opportunity to have an in-depth discussion where I come down on one side or another.” But she took a stand on how she felt about working with Allen in a January 9 online industry roundtable hosted by Aaron Sorkin and the New York Times, saying “I can only speak for myself and what I’ve come to is this: if I had known then what I know now, I would not have acted in the film (To Rome With Love).” I have not worked for him again, and I will not work for him again.”

Gerwig continued: “Dylan Farrow’s two different pieces made me realise that I had increased another woman’s pain, and I was heartbroken by that realisation. I grew up on his movies, and they have informed me as an artist, and I cannot change that fact now, but I can make different decisions moving forward.”

Calls for celebrities who continue to star in and profit off of Allen’s films—and even speak out in his defense, ahem, Kate Winslet—has reached a fever pitch lately in light of the Harvey Weinstein effect. Calls to denounce Weinstein, and most of the subsequent Hollywood predators outed in his wake, have mostly been fast and furious which has prompted many to wonder why Allen continues to enjoy a comparably seemingly consequence-free existence. Even Selena Gomez’s mom (the singer and actor also stars in Allen’s forthcoming film) is calling her daughter out for working with Allen. We’re not sure we agree with the public daughter-shaming, but the message is a good one: it’s time to believe survivors and take a stand against predators, and not just when it’s convenient.

While it bears repeating that women should not be held accountable for the actions of the men with whom they are associated, celebrities have the privilege—and at times, the responsibility—of a public platform that they can use for change, and this feels like a step in the right direction.

Related:
Celebs Quickly Denounced Weinstein, but Where’s the Outrage over Woody Allen?
Wake Up, Meryl! Streep’s Latest Weinstein Comments Are Infuriating
Alyssa Milano Set Matt Damon Straight After His Terrible Take on Sexual Assault

The post Timothée Chalamet Joins the Stars *Finally* Speaking Out Against Woody Allen appeared first on Flare.