She wrote: "If a man has been touching women inappropriately for decades, why would a woman want to work for him if the only reason he's not touching them inappropriately now is that it says in his contract that he must behave 'professionally'?" Thompson continued to outline the many problems and hypocrisies represented by Lasseter's employment, and why those made it impossible for her work on the film.
The most notable thing about Thompson's letter is that it should not, at this stage in the game, look like such a bold move. But the reality is that Thompson's letter is a reminder that, as she put it, "if people who have spoken out -- like me -- do not take this sort of stand then things are very unlikely to change at anything like the pace required to protect my daughter's generation."
Nearly 18 months after the advent of #MeToo, much of the taboo around discussing sexual harassment has been if not removed, then at the very least shaken. Considering that many of those who initiated the #MeToo movement were not Hollywood superstars and had a less stable foothold than the A list, Thompson's letter is an interesting barometer. It takes a telling measure of the response a big name can provoke should they choose to take action on their own -- especially with an explanation that gives such rich reference to context. It has become commonplace to condemn allegations of misconduct from the past, but firm, public steps to ensure people are protected in the future are not always taken.
It is not enough to ensure that no one else should suffer sexual harassment. We also need to quash the compromises which are asked of so many people on the periphery, when forgiveness is issued on their behalf. Thompson points out the insulting choice given to those working alongside Lasseter: they might either stomach working with him despite feeling uncomfortable or leave and lose their job. People in far greater financial jeopardy than Lasseter to begin with stand to bear the literal cost of his actions.
Thompson has protested bullying bosses in the past. But her conduct in walking away stands in stark contrast to so many other actors, even post- #MeToo. Rami Malek, who this week won an Oscar for his performance as Freddie Mercury in "Bohemian Rhapsody," said he was unaware of the sexual assault accusations made against the film's (latterly fired) director, Bryan Singer, when he signed up to the project.
Singer has been the subject of high-profile allegations dating back to 1997, when he allegedly made minors shower nude for the film "Apt Pupil," which he directed. He denies that allegation. He has faced other allegations since -- which he also has denied -- and his BAFTA nomination for "Bohemian Rhapsody" was withdrawn. After the Harvey Weinstein allegations came out in October 2017, actor Evan Rachel Wood tweeted, "Yeah lets not forget Brian [sic] Singer either" but later deleted the post. When sexual assault and battery claims against actor Kevin Spacey came to light in late October 2017 (claims the actor denies), Singer's name started trending on Twitter as well.
Even assuming that Malek was unaware of the conversation around Singer's past, it seems strange that he signed up to work with him without a cursory Google search into what that experience might be like. Reticence to ask uncomfortable questions, or say uncomfortable things, enables those whose gross predilections depend on secrecy.
Though "Bohemian Rhapsody" was the biggest winner of the night at the Oscars in claiming four awards, not one of the film's representatives mentioned Singer's name. That might be intended as a slight, but it is a significantly more comfortable outcome for Singer than had anyone publicly denounced him. When the collective memory is often short -- Louis CK was gigging again within nine months of his #MeToo "outing" -- it takes active effort to ensure that the brave actions of people who have come forward to declare the alleged crimes against them are not wasted. Forgiveness might be possible in some cases, but it must be earned. And allowing people to return with only superficial fuss to their well-paid jobs doesn't have the ring of a lesson well-taught.
The pointed omission of Singer's name at the Oscars is rather undermined when in the background he still stands to make a phenomenal amount of money -- possibly $40 million -- due to the film's unexpected box office success, which will receive a post-Oscars boost. Singer also remains attached to the upcoming "Red Sonja" project with Millennium films.
This story is being repeated elsewhere. Woody Allen has been able to continue filmmaking, despite many actors saying they would not work with him again. A few, including Javier Bardem and Diane Keaton, have even expressed outright support for the director even after his adoptive daughter Dylan Farrow reiterated her claim that Allen assaulted her as a child. Allen has denied her claim.
The same lukewarm condemnation has been reflected in the music industry. When John Legend spoke out against the disgraced R&B star in the recent documentary "Surviving R Kelly," he proved the exception. Producer Dream Hampton has said she approached artists including Jay Z, Lil' Kim, and Mary J. Blige to speak in the film, but they did not appear. Kelly faces charges of sexual abuse against four women (three of whom were children at the time of the alleged incidents). Kelly has denied the accusations and pleaded not guilty through his attorney. Lady Gaga, Celine Dion, Chance the Rapper, Ciara and Jennifer Hudson have removed their collaborations with R Kelly from streaming services.
Emma Thompson has set an honorable example, but it will take many more following suit to see substantial change. Of course, no one should be forced into the position of making the choice in the first place. When predators are accepted back into their professional spheres with little more than a slap on the wrist, perfunctory chastisement, it imposes a compromise on everyone they work with. It will take a deeper cultural shift, one which sees lasting consequences for anyone who has proven themselves dangerous, to see progress.
Until we stop making the argument that you can separate a person's actions from their art while turning a blind eye, people who have done terrible things will continue to go about their business while everyone around them pays the price.
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