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Harvey Weinstein, the former Hollywood mogul accused by over 80 women of sexual harassment and abuse over decades, goes on trial on Monday in New York to face rape charges that could land him in jail for life.
The trial, due to last six weeks, deals with allegations by just two of his accusers. But the scope of the scandal, which helped trigger the global #MeToo movement, and the man at the center of it, have ensured continued public attention of the case.
Once a Hollywood god,Weinstein's name now evokes the worst kind of abuse of power and sexual harassment.
For decades, he was one of the most visible and recognizable men in Tinseltown, backing box-office hits and Oscar-winning movies like "Shakespeare in Love," "Inglourious Basterds," "Silver Linings Playbook" and "The King's Speech" with his Miramax production company and later The Weinstein Company, and helping to launch the careers of actresses such as Jennifer Lawrence, Gwyneth Paltrow and Renee Zellweger.
He was photographed at award shows with the likes of Keira Knightley, Uma Thurman or Kate Beckinsale and, at the Oscars, was reportedly thanked by name
as many times as God
– only director Steven Spielberg surpassed them both.
The downfall
This all came to a crashing halt in 2017 after reporters for The New York Times and The New Yorker revealed that Weinstein had harassed and abused dozens of women over decades.
Among those who accused him of sexual misconduct were
high-profile actresses
like Paltrow, Angelina Jolie, Salma Hayek, Ashley Judd, Rosanna Arquette, Lupita Nyong'o and French actress Lea Seydoux. Some said the 67-year-old made advances during meetings in hotel rooms – exposing himself or touching his guests inappropriately – others said he forced them to have sex with him. Many of the victims were young women hoping to make it in show business.
Actress Gwyneth Paltrow and the producers of the Miramax film 'Shakespeare in Love', including Harvey Weinstein (3rd from L), hold their Oscars at the 71st Annual Academy Awards in Los Angeles, March 21, 1999. /Reuters Photo
Far from secret, Weinstein's behavior was well known in his companies, former and current executives and assistants told The New Yorker. Incidents were however hushed up, with actress Rose McGowan, who alleges Weinstein raped her, saying he used a team of fixers, lawyers and even private spies
to intimidate her and keep her quiet
.
Oscar winner Mira Sorvino and others said they
were refused movie roles
after turning him down and their careers suffered as a result.
Weinstein, who was swiftly fired from his company after the reports, has denied all allegations, insisting any sex was consensual.
The #MeToo phenomenon
The scandal quickly snowballed however, igniting the global #MeToo movement, which encouraged women and men to speak up against sexual harassment and abuse.
The outrage was exacerbated by revelations that other prominent figures in entertainment and media – including actor Kevin Spacey, TV hosts Bill O'Reilly, Matt Lauer and Charlie Rose and comedian Louis C.K. – had engaged in behavior similar to Weinstein's.
The #MeToo movement took the world by storm, spreading far beyond Hollywood and the U.S., and sparking a debate about women's rights, gender relations and abuse from France and Argentina to China, India and Nigeria.
And it is still going, with the hashtag making headlines around the world on a weekly basis.
Sending a signal
The criminal trial that begins on Monday revolves around two women – a former production assistant and another woman who has chosen to remain anonymous – who say Weinstein raped them or forced them to perform oral sex.
The court will also hear testimonies from several other accusers, including actress Annabella Sciorra.
Producer Harvey Weinstein talks with actress Nicole Kidman at the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles, California, January 30, 2011. /Reuters Photo
In all, Weinstein faces five charges of rape, sexual assault and a "criminal sexual act," and he has pleaded not guilty to all. Proceedings will start with jury selection, which could take weeks.
The outcome of the trial is less than certain however, given that the alleged assaults date back several years.
Last month, reports emerged of a tentative 25-million U.S. dollarsettlement with dozens of Weinstein's accusers.
Weinstein turned up to a court hearing in December using a walker, prompting comments that he was trying to elicit sympathy. In an email to CNN last week, the former movie mogul also described the last two years as "grueling" and said they had given him "a great opportunity for self-reflection."
But in a recent interview with the New York Post, he was his usual combative self, complaining that he did not get enough credit for supporting women's work in movies over his long career,arguing "I did it first! I pioneered it!"
On Friday,
25 of Weinstein's accusers
issued a statement highlighting the importance of the case against him: "This trial is critical to show that predators everywhere
will be held accountable and that speaking up can bring about real change," they said. Several of these women, including McGowan and Arquette are also due to hold a press conference outside the courthouse on Monday.
