Hollywood culture in the midst of #MeToo: 'Unless someone’s father just died, no one is hugging anymore'
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.As Hollywood reels in the wake of the long list of sexual harassment stories women have shared, apparently "nobody knows how to act now", whether it's with regards to green-lighting movies or just interacting with colleagues.
In a story in this week's The New Yorker (via Deadline), author Dana Goodyear cites a former studio head saying: "In staff meetings, in writers' rooms, in casting sessions, how you greet somebody in a restaurant, the language you use - every nuance has been impacted.
"Unless someone’s father just died or you are best friends, no one is hugging anymore."
Oscar-winning producer and president of the Women in Film advocacy group Cathy Schulman, meanwhile, said that when she walks into a man's office and begins to close the door, she is often asked not to.
"It’s happened at least ten times in the past two months," she said.
The article paints the picture of a Hollywood unsure of what to do and how to react as it faces its reckoning.
Another source, an anonymous television executive summarised: "All people want to know is, ‘Who’s next and what happens? How long do these people stay off the playing field, are they done for good, does this provide opportunities for women, is this permanent, temporary, what? Is this an overreaction? Should all doors literally be glass? Nobody knows how to act now. The rules have been so changed.'"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments