Decorated filmmaker Woody Allen has responded to the media scrutiny after allegations of child molestation have resurfaced after he was honored at the 2014 Golden Globes for his work.
Allen’s adopted daughter Dylan Farrow wrote an open letter to the public published by The New York Times. In Farrow’s own words, she recounted numerous times where Allen allegedly abused her.
“Woody Allen took me by the hand and led me into a dim, closet-like attic on the second floor of our house,” Farrow wrote. “He told me to lay on my stomach and play with my brother’s electric train set. Then he sexually assaulted me. He talked to me while he did it, whispering that I was a good girl, that this was our secret, promising that we’d go to Paris and I’d be a star in his movies.”
Farrow claims the abuse went on for years before she was able to ask her mother, Mia Farrow, if the relationship she had with Allen was normal between a father and daughter. Farrow explained in the letter she had to retell her story numerous times to doctors and authorities, but no charges were ever filed.
Can I enjoy a Woody Allen film after credible allegations that he molested a little girl? Can horrible people create inspiring works of art?
— Roy Peter Clark (@RoyPeterClark) February 3, 2014
Farrow’s mother was blamed for allegedly implanting "false" stories into her daughter, but she claims all sexual abuse allegations against Allen are true. Farrow also claims Allen used his sexual relationship with her other adopted sister, Soon-Yi Previn, to hide the abuse she endured as a child.
However, Allen claims Farrow’s allegations are untrue and are a result of Mia’s hatred towards him. The director’s publicist Leslee Dart told the New York Daily News Allen will be “responding: to the allegations soon.
“It is tragic that after 20 years, a story engineered by a vengeful lover resurfaces after it was fully vetted and rejected by independent authorities,” Allen’s lawyer Elkan Abramowitz told the Daily News. “The one to blame for Dylan’s distress is neither Dylan nor Woody.” Ronan Farrow, Allen’s only biological child with Mia, tweeted a response to the letter his sister wrote.
I love and support my sister and I think her words speak for themselves. — Ronan Farrow (@RonanFarrow) February 2, 2014
Allen married Mia's adopted daughter Previn in 1997.
Editor's note: The last sentence erroneously stated Previn was Allen's adopted daughter. She was adopted by Mia Farrow and the correction was made.
