Playwright and director Jez Butterworth has revealed that he punched disgraced film producer Harvey Weinstein in the past. In an interview with The Guardian, Butterworth shared details about an altercation he had with Weinstein on the set of the 2001 film Birthday Girl, which starred Nicole Kidman. According to Butterworth, Weinstein wanted a producer fired and punched them, leading Butterworth to retaliate. Butterworth had reportedly studied boxing at the University of Cambridge and told Weinstein that he knew what to do if he wanted to throw punches.
Butterworth also discussed his experience of learning about the pattern of sexual abuse taking place in Hollywood. He revealed that when directing Birthday Girl, he auditioned actors in a hotel in Hollywood who later went on to accuse Weinstein of sexual misconduct. However, at the time, Butterworth was unaware of Weinstein’s actions and the extent of his behaviour.
Butterworth has previously spoken out against Weinstein. In 2017, on BBC Newsnight, he read a letter criticising the producer over the allegations made against him. Weinstein was later convicted on charges relating to sexual assault allegations in both New York and Los Angeles.
Last year, actor Julia Ormond sued Weinstein and Disney, claiming the producer sexually assaulted her in 1995
Read the full article on NME here: Read More