Harvey Weinstein expelled from American Academy for sexual harassment

The Hollywood "boss" is the first person to be disqualified for ethical issues in the history of the Oscar organization.

According to the Guardian, the announcement was made on October 14 after a special meeting of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in Los Angeles (USA). The Oscar organizer decided to remove Harvey Weinstein because of his sexual harassment scandal. In its 90-year history, the Academy has only expelled one other member, Carmine Caridi, because this actor distributed copies of Oscar-nominated films in 2004.

Harvey Weinstein is the first person to be disqualified for ethics issues. Previously, some members such as Roman Polanski, Bill Cosby and Mel Gibson remained in the Academy despite being accused or suspected of committing crimes.

Harvey Weinstein removed from Oscar organization.

According to Academy practice, a two-thirds majority vote of the 54-member board is required to expel a member. "We are doing this to distance ourselves from someone who does not deserve the respect of our peers," the Guardian quoted a representative of the unit as saying. "At the same time, we want to send a message that the era of willful indifference and shameful tolerance for sexual assault and harassment in the film industry is over."

"Such an extremely unpleasant issue must not be allowed to happen in our society. The leadership continues to set ethical standards in behavior and every Academy member must set an example for that," the representative shared.

* Harvey Weinstein and the "Shakespeare in Love" crew received Oscars

Meanwhile, some argue that "firing" Harvey Weinstein would set a bad precedent. Mitchell Block, a member of the short film and animation group, said: "It's not right for the Academy to react to Harvey as if he's the only pervert in Hollywood. The problem is much bigger than that. Many people are starting to pay more attention to the silence of other perverts. I don't think the Academy should act hastily until it understands the full extent of the problem and sets out a clear policy."

Harvey Weinstein is a veteran producer and distributor who has sponsored a series of Oscar-winning works. His studio's films have received more than 300 Oscar nominations. According to the Guardian, Harvey is the second most thanked person in Oscar acceptance speeches, behind only the legendary Steven Spielberg. He received the golden statuette in 1999 when Shakespeare in Love - a work he produced - won "Best Picture".

Harvey Weinstein once sponsored Gwyneth Paltrow (second from right) to win the Oscar for "Best Actress".

On October 5, the New York Times published an article accusing Harvey Weinstein of sexually harassing dozens of women over the past three decades. In the following days, actresses such as Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow and Léa Seydoux simultaneously accused the 1952-born tycoon. In Vietnam, former model Vu Thu Phuong also said Harvey Weinstein sexually harassed her after she starred in the film Shanghai, which was distributed by his company. The sex scandal was considered by many European and American newspapers to be one of the most shocking scandals this year.

In addition to being expelled from the American Academy, Mr. Harvey was also suspended from activities by BAFTA - the British Academy of Film and Television Arts - and fired from the Weinstein Company - the company he founded.

According to VNE