JOHN CURLEY

Should Woody Allen be celebrated at the Seattle International Film Festival?

May 19, 2016, 5:26 AM

Woody Allen is known for many things: a humorist, a writer, a filmmaker and an artist. But no matter what moniker accompanies his name, controversy surrounding the man inevitably follows.

Allen, who is famous for films such as “Annie Hall,” has also been known for marrying the adopted daughter of his ex-partner, and also for allegations of child molestation.

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As the Seattle International Film Festival gets underway by featuring Allen’s latest film, “Cafe Society,” some are questioning where the line is between honoring artists despite their faults, and not rewarding artists when they harm others — in this case, allegedly, children.

The argument ranges from all art should be considered and celebrated, to making a statement against great artists when they allegedly harm others. Allen was once partners with actress Mia Farrow. Their daughter Dylan Farrow accused Allen of molesting her in the early ’90s. Those allegations have been contested by her sibling and supported by another. Allen has never been charged but the allegations were brought up in a custody case and were eventually thrown out of court. Dylan repeated her allegations in a 2014 New York Times column.

One person who has made a decision is Seattle Time’s columnist Nicole Brodeur, who recently authored a piece titled “Why SIFF should not be celebrating Woody Allen’s ‘Cafe Society.’”

It caught the attention of KIRO Radio film critic Tom Tangney who discussed it with co-host John Curley on the Tom and Curley Show. Tom understands Brodeur’s point but won’t go as far as to support a move to not honor the man who, so far, has only allegations plaguing him.

Tom Tangney: Allen is unbelievably fruitful when it comes to making movies — a movie a year and sometimes more than that. The film festival is catching a lot of flack for choosing a Woody Allen film to kick off the festival.

John Curley: Those that are advocating for him not to be celebrated here are not waiting for any of the evidence. They are just taking Woody Allen and saying “you’re a pervert.”

Tom: Nicole Brodeur, most of her statements are conditional, saying he “may have been,” or “there are reasons to believe.” So there are no absolute certainties. But she does, however, evoke the name of Bill Cosby. Cosby has now been accused by many, many, many women and there have been rumors like this for a long time but people pushed them aside. Nicole Brodeur just raised the issue of if we should be more of an advocate for victims and are we being careless with honoring someone who might be guilty.

John Curley on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to tom and curleyTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 3pm for The John Curley Show.

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Should Woody Allen be celebrated at the Seattle International Film Festival?