ForMira Sorvino, seeingHarvey Weinsteinindicted and arrested last weekon multiple charges of rape and criminal sexual act was nothing but a “really good first step.”
“It feels like a really good first step, you know? It’s him finally facing real, real criminal consequences for his criminal behavior. And so for that, I feel gratified,” she explained. “But honestly, last weekend was a very emotional one, and I cried many times, because just seeing him brings up a lot of bad feelings.”
Sorvino added, “He’s raped many people that I love, so it’s not really a happy occasion. I think maybe there will be some celebration when he gets convicted and goes to jail. That’s when the process will be complete and when we’ll see justice really being served.”
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The Oscar winner said that although she never shared her story publicly, she had told many of her peers. However, nobody suggested that Weinstein’s actions were criminal — and Sorvino had no idea how widespread the problem was.
“None of us compared notes. I only knew of one other person. I could not believe how many people. If we had known about each other then, we would have been…” Sorvino said, breaking down in tears as photos of Weinstein’s accusers appeared in the background.
She continued, “I think we would have found strength in numbers and we would have done something a lot sooner. But I only knew of one other person, Sophie Dix, who told me her story a little while after mine occurred. But I did try to do something about it at the time. I even spoke to somebody at Miramax about it and nothing happened, so it kind of went away and I tried to go on with my life.”
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Sorvino explained that when she stopped getting as many calls for roles, she just assumed she had “had too many children” or it was simply “bad luck.” However, director Peter Jackson revealed in December that the Weinstein brotherswarned him that Sorvino and fellow accuser Ashley Judd were difficult to workwith when he was castingLord of the Rings.Bad Santadirector Terry Zwigoff then made similar claims.
“It was like a thunderbolt. It was kind of crazy. I was like, ‘Oh. So, it was really this malevolent hand that changed the course of my life and my professional horizons?'” said Sorvino.
The actress added that “everything is going great” for her family now, noting that she may not have even met her husband Christopher Backus had she been cast inLord of the Rings.
RELATED VIDEO: Paul Sorvino Threatens to Kill Harvey Weinstein Over His Daughter Mira’s Allegations
Sorvino said she is proud to be part of the #MeToo and Time’s Up movements, and she’s currently working on anti-sexual harassment legislation in California.
“For women and boys and girls to know their rights, all of this will have been worth it in some crazy way,” she explained. “If culture’s going to change, and less people will be sexually assaulted because of this movement—and this outcry among millions across the world—then it was all worth it.”
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Weinsteinpleaded not guiltyTuesday morning tomultiple sexual assault charges— including rape — brought against himin New York City. The criminal sex act charge is in connection with an alleged 2004 sexual assault on aspiring actress Lucia Evans, police sources previously confirmed to PEOPLE. (Evans has agreed to be publicly named).
Weinstein is scheduled to return to court on Sept. 22 for a hearing on motions in his case, according to N.Y.C. prosecutors.
“Mr. Weinstein intends to … vigorously defend against these unsupported allegations that he strongly denies,” Brafman said. “We will soon formally move to dismiss the indictment and if this case actually proceeds to trial, we expect Mr. Weinstein to be acquitted.”
source: people.com
