Will we ever truly believe Dylan Farrow's Woody Allen story?
What's the story
Dylan Farrow will appear on a televised interview on Thursday to reinstate once more the sexual assault allegations against her adoptive father Woody Allen. This comes a month after Farrow wrote for the Los Angeles Times questioning why the #MeToo Movement had spared Allen when it was bringing down other heroes. Here, we look at the scandal, arguably one of the murkiest to rock Hollywood.
The TV interview
I am credible and am telling the truth: Dylan Farrow
Asked if she was trying to dethrone Allen, Dylan, 32, told CBS This Morning, "Why shouldn't I want to bring him down? Why shouldn't I be angry? Why shouldn't I be hurt?" "Why shouldn't I feel some sort of outrage that after all these years, being ignored and disbelieved and tossed aside?" Farrow added. Allen is expected to issue a statement later today.
Twitter Post
This is Dylan's first TV interview against Allen: CBS
In her first television interview, Dylan Farrow addresses the alleged sexual abuse by her adoptive father, Woody Allen.
— CBS This Morning ❄️ (@CBSThisMorning) January 18, 2018
Tomorrow on @CBSThisMorning with @GayleKing: https://t.co/OQflJDiXKR pic.twitter.com/ejvM5YTAew
The accusation
Despite probes, Allen hasn't been proved guilty
Dylan claims that Allen molested her in an attic in 1992 when she was seven. However, despite detailed investigations, no evidence was ever found against Allen and he was never charged. The New York judge who presided over the 1994 high-profile custody battle between Allen and Dylan's mother Mia Farrow, found the allegations inconclusive. However, he slammed Allen for being "self-absorbed, untrustworthy and insensitive."
Dirty linen
Of allegation and counter allegations
Allen has repeatedly denied the allegations, calling them "disgraceful and untrue." Dylan, nevertheless, has kept sharing her story of abuse. She first publicly narrated her ordeal in an open letter for an NYT blog in 2014. Allen responded with an NYT op-ed, dismissing accusations and lambasting Mia Farrow, his one-time lover, for being "more interested in her own festering anger than her daughter's well-being."
Support
Renunciation of Allen and his work unfair, sad: Alec Baldwin
Sexual assault allegations have toppled the careers of several moguls including Harvey Weinstein and Kevin Spacey. However, 82-year-old Allen has largely remained unscathed and continues to enjoy a fabled career. He still has supporters, most notably in actor Alec Baldwin, who on Tuesday said that Allen's renunciation was unfair, sad and agenda driven. He called working with Allen "privileges of my career".
Twitter Post
Alec Baldwin tweets in Allen's support
Woody Allen was investigated forensically by two states (NY and CT) and no charges were filed. The renunciation of him and his work, no doubt, has some purpose. But it’s unfair and sad to me. I worked w WA 3 times and it was one of the privileges of my career.
— ABFoundation (@ABFalecbaldwin) January 16, 2018
Time's Up
Now, some actors express regret over working with Allen
That said, Dylan is being heard and believed en masse arguably for the first time in 25 years. An increasing number of actors are saying that they regret working with Allen. Rebecca Hall and Timothée Chalamet have donated the money they made from Allen's film to charities. Mira Sorvino has vowed to never collaborate with Allen again. Others include Natalie Portman and Greta Gerwig.
Information
Woody Allen's personal life: A Greek tragedy
Actor Mia Farrow and Woody Allen were together from 1979 to 1992, until he eloped with Soon-Yi Previn, Farrow's 21-year-old adoptive daughter from a previous marriage. Allen, who is 35 years older than Soon-Yi married her in 1997. Together, they have two children.