Harvey Weinstein Claims He ‘Pioneered’ Working With Women In Film

Harvey Weinstein feels “like the forgotten man,” in case you cared about how he felt.

In his first interview in over a year, the alleged rapist spoke with The New York Post regarding his decades-long career in Hollywood, refusing to discuss the 30 women who have accused him of various acts of sexual assault.

The 67-year-old griped:

“I feel like the forgotten man. I made more movies directed by women and about women than any filmmaker, and I’m talking about 30 years ago. I’m not talking about now when it’s vogue. I did it first! I pioneered it!”

Hate to break it to you, Harvey. It’s not just “vogue” (AKA something in style or fashion at the present time) to work with women on films, it’s the way the industry is rightfully headed.

He bitterly added:

“It all got eviscerated because of what happened. My work has been forgotten.”

Without touching on her allegations against him, the Miramax co-founder discussed Gwyneth Paltrow‘s successful career. GP is not part of the settlement, but has said Harvey lured her into a hotel room and tried to massage her in 1994 under the guise of a business meeting. He explained:

“Gwyneth Paltrow in 2003 got $10 million to make a movie called ‘View from the Top.’ She was the highest-paid female actor in an independent film. Higher-paid than all the men.”

Harvey recalled in the early 1990s going to see the documentary Paris Is Burning per Madonna‘s recommendation, about the city’s drag ball culture, which has now become a cult classic:

“This was a company that took social issues and tackled them.”

Further discussing his now-disgraced career, he explained:

“I understood the celebratory nature of the film and bought the distribution rights. The same thing is true for ‘Transamerica’ [for] which Felicity Huffman got an Academy Award.”

Huffman did not win an Academy Award. But she can probably give him plenty of tips on prison life!!

Referring to his upbringing in Queens and his charity work, the accused gloated:

“I made a success out of myself. I had no money, and I built quite an empire with Miramax and decided to give back. If you remember who I was then, you might want to question some of this.”

The “this” he is referring to is likely the reported $25 million civil settlement with more than 30 accusers which he and his bankrupt film studio, The Weinstein Company, just reached. As we previously reported, it is rumored that the former exec will not personally pay a cent in the deal, nor will he have to admit any wrongdoing.

In addition to the civil case, he goes on trial January 6 in Manhattan Supreme Court. Weinstein is accused of raping an unnamed longtime lover in 2013, and forcibly performing oral sex on production assistant Mimi Haleyi in 2006. He currently faces charges of predatory sexual assault, criminal sex acts, and rape. If convicted, he could face up to life in prison.

As you’ll recall, the embattled producer looked shockingly run-down during a court appearance earlier this month, largely due to the back injury which he sustained in an August car accident and subsequent spinal surgery:

“This was a major operation. I want this city to recognize who I was instead of what I’ve become.”

The fallen mogul is recovering in an elite wing of New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center which features Italian linens, original framed artwork, and marble bathrooms. Patients are catered to by a concierge cater and private chef, all while taking in impressive views of the NYC skyline and sipping on cucumber water. If convicted of the alleged crimes, his next place of residence may not be so plush…

Thoughts on what Weinstein had to say, Perezcious readers? Sound OFF (below) in the comments with your take.

[Image via WENN.]

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