'Let's not talk about what man's career is over': Natalie Portman shuts down Woody Allen discussion

The actress preferred to talk about representation in films
Shut down: Natalie Portman dismissed conversation about Woody Allen
Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Natasha Sporn21 February 2018
The Weekender

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Natalie Portman shut down a conversation about Woody Allen, opting instead to talk about representation in film.

The critically-acclaimed actress dismissed the line of questioning about Allen and allegations surrounding him during an interview with Buzzfeed.

Asked if “time may be up for the director”, Portman said: “I don't think that's what the conversation should be about. I think it should be about: Why didn't Elaine May make a movie every year?

“Why didn't Nora Ephron make a movie every year? Where's the female version of Bill Cosby? Why don't we see any Asian women in films? There's so much art that's being lost by not giving opportunities to women and people of colour.”

Accused: An allegation has been made against Woody Allen
Evan Agostini/Invision/AP

Allen has been accused of sexual misconduct by his adopted daughter, Dylan Farrow, which he vehemently denies, prompting a number of Hollywood stars to distance themselves from him.

Portman: “Let's not talk about what man's career is over. Let's talk about the vast art trove we've lost by not giving women, people of colour, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community opportunities — let's talk about that loss for all of us in art.

“Let's talk about that huge hole in our culture. I don't want talk about “Isn't it sad that this person who's made 500 movies can't make movies anymore?” That's not for me to decide. And it's also not what I'm upset about.”

The Black Swan star also expressed regret for signing a petition in support of Roman Polanski back in 2009 after his arrest warrant was issued on suspicion of rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Portman told the publication: “I very much regret it. I take responsibility for not thinking about it enough. Someone I respected gave it to me, and said, "I signed this. Will you too?" And I was like, sure. It was a mistake.

“The thing I feel like I gained from it is empathy towards people who have made mistakes. We lived in a different world, and that doesn't excuse anything.

“But you can have your eyes opened and completely change the way you want to live. My eyes were not open."

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