The times they are a’changing. The one-two punch ofAnthony Rappspeaking out aboutKevin Spacey’s behavior and the New York Times andRonan Farrowreporting onHarvey Weinsteinushered in a new era in Hollywood, one in which systemic harassment, assault, and gender disparity is finally being outed. This is uncharted territory for this industry, and as a result things are changing quickly in terms of what kinds of people actors and filmmakers are willing to work with.
Woody Allenhas been the subject of controversy for decades, ever since an affair with his adopted daughter was revealed when she was 22 years old. Additionally, Allen’s other daughter Dylan Farrow said in 1992 that she had been sexually assaulted by her father.
Dylan pennedan op-ed in the Los Angeles Timesin early December asking why the #MeToo revolution had spared Woody Allen, spurring a number of actors who have worked with Allen in the past to express regret and vow never to work with him again. This includesGreta Gerwig, who had a role in Allen’s 2012 filmTo Rome with Love, andRebecca Hall, who recently stated she has donated her salary from Allen’s next film,A Rainy Day in New York, to the Time’s Up campaign.
Now another actor is following suit, asTimothée Chalamet—who also stars inA Rainy Day in New York—announced yesterday that he’ll also be donating his salary. His full statement reads as follows:
This year has changed the way I see and feel about so many things; it has been a thrilling and, at times, enlightening education. I have, to this point, chosen projects from the perspective of a young actor trying to walk in the footsteps of more seasoned actors I admire. But I am learning that a good role isn’t the only criteria for accepting a job—that has become much clearer to me in the past few months, having witnessed the birth of a powerful movement intent on ending injustice, inequality and above all, silence.
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 my 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.
Indeed as Chalamet is one of the major contenders for the Best Actor Oscar this year for his work inCall Me by Your Name, the 22-year-old performer has been asked quite a lot recently about his decision to work with Allen. Now it appears we have his answer.
It’ll be interesting to see which, if any, additional performers fromA Rainy Day in New Yorkfollow suit. The film also starsJude Law,Elle Fanning,Liev Schreiber,Diego Luna, andSelena Gomez. Chalamet’s Instagram post is below:
