Harvey Weinstein used to be thanked more often than God at the Academy Awards. Unsurprisingly, he wasn’t mentioned in a single acceptance speech this year. A new trailer for “The Reckoning: Hollywood’s Worst Kept Secret” goes back in time and features footage of A-lister after A-lister acknowledging the producer on film’s biggest night. Then we hear about what Weinstein was like behind the scenes from some of his many accusers.
“He left the room. This time he came back fully naked,” recalls Katherine Kendall. She remembers asking herself, “Is he going to rape me?”
Starr Rinaldi emphasizes the risk of saying no to Weinstein — getting blacklisted in the industry.
“It was allowed to go on because he had so much power,” says Lauren Sivan. “If he worked in a mail room, he would be in jail.”
The trailer also addresses #MeToo. Kicked off years ago by activist Tarana Burke, the movement gained unprecedented momentum and publicity after Weinstein’s accusers went public with allegations of sexual harassment and rape.
“The Reckoning” made its world premiere at Hot Docs in April. The film will be available on VOD November 6.