K.T Simpson
The BBC is set to feature a 90-minute documentary of the scandal’s surrounding Harvey Weinstein, who has thus far been accused by over 80 women of inappropriate behaviour, ranging from rape to sexual assault through to intimidation, bullying and strange showering habits.
Ursula MacFarlane is directing the film with Lightbox to produce, and has the working title of “Weinstein”, according to the Deadline report. The Hollywood mogul will be the front-and-centre of the documentary, and document his rise and fall within the industry, also featuring interviews with actresses that have made claims against him.
Actresses such as Rose McGowan, Salma Hayek, Paz de la Huerta and Ashley Judd will speak out in the film, as well as a number of journalists, producers, directors, agents, lawyers and more – those who haven’t been able to publicly talk about the incidents.
Simon and Jonathan Chinn of Lightbox said: “Through telling the story of Weinstein’s extraordinary rise and fall, this film will really get to the heart of the big questions that lie at the centre of the scandal: how did Weinstein get away with his behaviour for so long, what does his story reveal about how powerful men have operated in Hollywood and beyond and will this be a watershed moment in terms of the way women are treated in the workplace?”
The film, which will also address sexual harassment in broader Hollywood, is set to air on BBC Two. Simon McDonald, BBC’s Head of Natural History and Specialist Factual Commissioning, said about the doco: “This film promises to be the definitive take on the Weinstein scandal. As well as revealing the inside story of the past few months in minute detail, it will also look to the past to tell the story of abuses of power within Hollywood since its very origins and chart the rise of Harvey Weinstein himself over many decades. This is a film which will ask difficult and challenging questions about complicity, the price of silence and the corrosive effects of power and I’m certain that Lightbox will bring their signature approach to this important subject.”
