Timothée Chalamet’s is the latest actor to announce he will not keep his salary from the upcoming Woody Allen film, A Rainy Day in New York, and will instead donate it to Time’s Up, The LGBT Center in New York and RAINN. For years, Allen has been accused of sexual assault by his daughter, Dylan Farrow.
Chalamet’s announcement came in a post on Instagram, where he also explained why he hasn’t spoken directly about working on the movie when asked about it in interviews.
The post reads: “This year has changed the way I see and feel about so many things; it has been a thrilling and, at times, enlightening education. I have, to this point, chosen projects from the perspective of a young actor trying to walk in the footsteps of more seasoned actors I admire. But I am learning that a good role isn’t the only criteria for accepting a job—that has become much clearer to me in the past few months, having witnessed the birth of a powerful movement intent on ending injustice, inequality and above all, silence. I have been asked in a few recent interviews about my decision to work on a film with Woody Allen last summer. I’m not able to answer the question directly because of contractual obligations. But what I can say is this: I don’t want to profit from my work on the film, and to that end, I am going to donate my entire salary to three charities: Time’s Up, The LGBT Center in New York and RAINN. I want to be worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the brave artists who are fighting for all people to be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.”
Though Farrow’s open letter about her father’s alleged assault was published by The New York Times almost four years ago, it has resurfaced under a new climate in Hollywood: one where sexual assault cases are taken more seriously, victims are speaking up and abusers are facing public punishment for their wrongful behavior. And with the creation of Tarana’s Burke‘s Time’s Up Movement, more people are coming together to combat sexual assault and to put an end to inequality in all industries.
Just last week, Chalamet’s co-star in the film, Rebecca Hall, announced she would donate her salary. In her Instagram post, Hall explains that Woody Allen, “gave me one of my first significant roles in film for which I have always been grateful.” She goes on to admit that she is “conflicted and saddened” after learning that her decision to accept the role in A Rainy Day in New York weighs heavier than she initially realized.
She says, “After reading and re-reading Dylan Farrow’s statements of a few days ago and going back and reading the older ones – I see, not only how complicated this matter is, but that my actions have made another woman feel silenced and dismissed. That is not something that sits easily with me in the current or indeed any moment, and I am profoundly sorry. I regret this decision and wouldn’t make the same one today.”
The actress ends her apology by saying she has donated her wage to Time’s Up. “I’ve also signed up, will continue to donate, and look forward to working with and being part of this positive movement towards change not just in Hollywood but hopefully everywhere,” she finishes.
If the allegations are true, 2018 may be the year that Dylan Farrow finally receives justice for the horror and pain she endured as a child. For now, we can only hope to see other celebrities follow the example that Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Hall have set.