BBC to tell the definitive story of Harvey Weinstein

Harvey Weinstein

The BBC has commissioned a special feature-length documentary to tell the definitive story of Harvey Weinstein.

Weinstein, will bring fresh insights and revelations to the epic story of Weinstein’s rise and fall as well as revealing one of the most far-reaching scandals in Hollywood’s history – one which is still developing.

The 90-minute film will be directed by award-winning director Ursula Macfarlane and will be produced by Lightbox, the company founded by Academy Award-winning producer Simon Chinn and Emmy Award-winning Jonathan Chinn.

“The breaking of silence over Harvey Weinstein is a watershed moment for the creative Industries and for wider society,” said Patrick Holland, controller of BBC Two.

“Ursula is a brilliant filmmaker and is perfectly placed to make the definitive documentary, piecing together the story of just how he abused his power and position.”

The film will use the Weinstein scandal as a prism through which to explore the history of Hollywood and delve into the complex mix of money, power, exploitation and abuse that developed with the emergence of the studio system in the 1930s.

Weinstein will also chart Weinstein’s extraordinary rise to power and prominence from his first steps in Hollywood in the 1970s and illuminate Hollywood’s deep-rooted sexism revealing how the powerful have been able to construct a complex web of defences to shield themselves and behave with impunity.

The programme will also include interviews with sources including the many actresses who have been brave enough to tell their stories, together with journalists, producers, directors, actors, agents, lawyers and others who have previously been unable or unwilling to talk publicly about Weinstein and the culture of fear and abuse that permeates Hollywood.

Tom McDonald, Head of Commissioning, Natural History and Specialist Factual added: “This film promises to be the definitive take on the Weinstein scandal. As well as revealing the inside story of the past few months in minute detail, it will also look to the past to tell the story of abuses of power within Hollywood since its very origins and chart the rise of Harvey Weinstein himself over many decades.

“This is a film which will ask difficult and challenging questions about complicity, the price of silence and the corrosive effects of power and I’m certain that Lightbox will bring their signature approach to this important subject.”

Posted by on Thursday 21 December 2017
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