Untouchable

We know the facts about Harvey Weinstein. We've read them in the papers or heard about them in the news. What this documentary adds, is the story behind the facts. The incredible story about how this man was able to get away with so much misbehaviour for such a long period. The film shows how his power, his success, and his personality made him get away with anything. It made him, yes, untouchable. A big part of the documentary consists of Weinstein's victims talking to the camera about their unfortunate experiences. Not only actresses, but also a journalist who was physically threatened and verbally abused by Weinstein, as well as several staff members of Miramax. The personal accounts are powerful, at some moments the actresses are visibly very emotional. Director Ursula Mcfarlane does a very good job capturing the distress and damage Weinstein has caused them. The contrast with the archive footage of Weinstein laughing, partying and celebrating is striking. One fragment of the documentary struck me in particular: people in popular TV shows openly joking about Weinsteins reputation with women, and referring to the rumours that apparently were common knowledge in Hollywood. 'Untouchable' is a devastating film for Weinstein, but the good thing is that it ends with a positive message. After the disclosure of his misconduct, the world has become a different place, without any tolerance for misogyny or gender related power abuse.

Any "backlash" against #MeToo is difficult because unlike chasing Soviet spies among Hollywood's greatest talents during McCarthyism or burning witches the purpose of it is surely not absurd and wrong. But this film shows quite a few problematic things with the movement born as a hashtag. The biggest problem I see is the conscious choice of bypassing the official justice system. I mean Weinstein is awaiting a trial now and he surely hopes for a fair one. Only Paz de la Huerta seemed to understand that if you were ready to go on Twitter or before cameras with your accusations, you should make at least a symbolic attempt at approaching the prosecutors to simply maintain some credibility. Other big problems are gossips and inside jokes treated as evidences of guilt. I think the film is premature to put it gently and quite morally questionable despite its noble intentions. "Leaving Neverland" comes to mind, although surely not a premature film - quite the opposite.

Harvey Weinstein was an excellent cinematographic producer with an extraordinary intuition. He was a workaholic and became then a geek without any real friend. He was also a boss as merciless as tyrannical who wouldn't take a « no » for an answer. Until then, it is objectively the public and well-known portrait of Harvey Weinstein before the media emergence of the scandal. Thus, this excellent documentary completes his curriculum vitae with an avalanche of testimonies as poignant as sorrowful. Personally, I was particularly moved by that of Hope Exiner D'Amore.

Harvey Weinstein was an unscrupulous and pathetic predator who shamefully abused his power. The description of his cv is now finished, as is his career.

This documentary explains the story behind the New York Times article as well as Ronan Farrow's The New Yorker article detailing the abuse, harassment, threats and rape that Harvey Weinstein allegedly committed for decades. Decades! It goes way back to his school years with interviews, photos and videos piecing his rise and then his fall. I thought it was going to be too slow when the documentary began but then it wraps you up and takes you on a ride telling a heartbreaking, appalling story. Using interviews from actual women who were attacked, as well as former employees, it bolsters its case perfectly. Most likely Harvey will either plead or be imprisoned or both ( innocent until proven guilty) but in the meantime this story made me know what wrath he caused and know that women are safer with this 'man' gone. My heart breaks for the damage he caused so many. Thank you for telling your stories.

This documentary does a wonderful job of pulling back the curtain and helping you understand how Harvey Weinstein was able to get away with his crimes so long, how it impacted those that he hurt, and why they kept silent. It's a documentary that pulls no punches yet never feels overly salacious. It is thoughtful, fascinating, and disturbing.