Award-Winning Director Michael Haneke Describes #MeToo Movement As 'Man-Hating Puritanism'
Renowned Austrian director Michael Haneke weighs in on the #MeToo movement sweeping through Hollywood, criticizing the new puritan culture as a witch hunt.
Haneke Slams 'Hysterical Pre-Judgment' Of #MeToo
In an interview with Austrian publication Kurier on Saturday, the Academy Award winning director and screenwriter expresses his concern over the increasingly puritan approach on sexual harassment allegations, according to a report from Deadline.
"Any form of rape or coercion is punishable. But this hysterical pre-judgment which is spreading now, I find absolutely disgusting," Haneke says, adding that it's possible that some of the allegations that date back decades may have been statements with little to do with sexual assault.
Haneke continues that the "blind rage" and prejudices can destroy lives and careers of people who haven't even been proven guilty. The nature of this new puritanism, he says, is infused with "a hatred of men" that is worrisome.
The director acknowledged that voicing his opinion would likely cause him some negative press.
"This has nothing to do with the fact that every sexual assault and all violence — whether against women or men — should be condemned and punished," Haneke says. "But the witch hunt should be left in the Middle Ages."
"As artists, we're starting to be fearful since we're faced with this crusade against any form of eroticism," he adds.
Find the original article in Kurier here.
European Public Figures Speak Out
The Amour director and screenwriter is not the only prominent figure to speak out against the #MeToo movement. In fact, personalities from European cinema and arts have been outspoken in the past few weeks.
Early in January, 100 women from entertainment, media, arts, and academia signed an open editorial published in French daily Le Monde. The editorial blasted the #MeToo movement for its puritanical nature and restricting sexual freedom, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
Among the signatories are French actress Catherine Deneuve, German actress Ingrid Caven, book publisher Joelle Losfeld, journalist Elisabeth Levu, radio host and former porn star Brigitte Lahaie, and writers Catherine Millet and Catherine Robbe-Grillet.
A report from Variety noted the cultural barriers of the #MeToo movement, citing Woody Allen's still-strong fan base and critical support in France.
French journalist and feminist champion Caroline Fourest point out that the French culture is very tolerant toward artists, willing to judge them for their work rather than their personal life.
Furthermore, strict libel laws limit accusations made and published by the media.
"In France, if a journalist is accused of defamation, he or she will have to give concrete proof of what is stated in the article, and when there is no complaint filed or medical record and it's a case of 'he said, she said,' it becomes very complicated to prove anything," Thomas Sotinel of Le Monde explains.
