Casey Affleck, New Oscar Winner, Addresses Sexual Assault Allegations
Casey Affleck's Best Actor win at the 2017 Oscars wasn't without controversy, and the Manchester by the Sea star is finally addressing allegations that he sexually assaulted two women during the filming of 2010's I'm Still Here.
In an interview with The Boston Globe, Affleck noted that he couldn't speak directly to the case, as neither side is permitted to comment on the matter. Still, he "paused and sighed heavily" before saying the following:
“I believe that any kind of mistreatment of anyone for any reason is unacceptable and abhorrent, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else.”
He added that he feels like he has his hands tied, and that all he can do moving forward is try to act morally.
“There’s really nothing I can do about it,” Affleck added wearily. “Other than live my life the way I know I live it and to speak to what my own values are and how I try to live by them all the time.”
Stars like B.J. Novak and Constance Wu have spoken out against praise of Affleck. Even Brie Larson, who presented Affleck with his Oscar, seemed to intentionally withhold applause.
"I've been counseled not to talk about this for career's sake. F my career then, I'm a woman & human first. That's what my craft is built on," Wu tweeted after a scathing critique of Hollywood's condoning of Affleck's alleged assault.
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