Allen Stewart Konigsberg was born on December 1, 1935, in the Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn, Neighborhood. It would take forty-six years for society to learn of his prowess as an up-and-coming Jewish comedian in
The year after Annie Hall hit movie theaters, it won four Academy Awards, including Best Screenplay. Lauded for his work in comedic films, Allen made audiences laugh until it hurt for decades after the release of his films, but some of us know Allen not by his cinematography, but by his scandalous, and arguably inappropriate love life.
In the early 90s, after Allen divorced separated from his then-wife, actress Mia Farrow, he began an intimate relationship with his ex-wife’s adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn. At the time of their budding relationship, Allen was 57, and Soon-Yi had just turned 24.
Those some would argue that their relationship was inappropriate, it wasn’t until later that year when Allen would be accused of sexually assaulting his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow.
The reason I bring this up is
“Amazon has tried to excuse its action by referencing a 25-year-old, baseless allegation against Mr. Allen, but that allegation was already well know to Amazon (and the public) before Amazon entered into four separate deals with Mr. Allen…and, in any event it does not provide a basis for Amazon to terminate the contract. There simply was no legitimate ground for Amazon to renege its promises.”
-Language from lawsuit filed by Woody Allen against Amazon
At a time where the “Me Too” movement has given voices to individuals who only now have felt truly comfortable to share stories of sexual assault, harassment, and rape, Allen’s lawsuit represents another actor trying to live his life in denial of the fact that he committed intolerable acts earlier in his life.
We cannot escape our faults if we try to bury them without consequence, and Amazon’s (AMZN) placing of Allen’s new films on the back burner is proof enough of this fact.
While I understand Mr. Allen’s concern that a deal worth nearly $70 million has been put on hold, it’s almost laughable that he would pursue legal action against Amazon (AMZN) who is simply refusing to cross the picket line. Back in 2016, Ronan Farrow, Allen’s son, wrote an op-ed for The Hollywood Reporter, discussing his father’s reactions to allegations made against him.
“…Being in the media as my sister’s story made headlines, and Woody Allen’s PR engine revved into action, gave me a window into just how potent the pressure can be to take the easy way out. Every day, colleagues at news organizations forwarded me the emails based out by Allen’s powerful publicist who had orchestrated a robust publicity campaign to validate my father’s sexual relationship with another one of my siblings…”
–Ronan Farrow
Given that Mr. Allen filed the lawsuit earlier today, Amazon (AMZN) spokespeople have yet to comment on the legal action, but I assume it won’t be long before they submit a relevant press release.
