Old Racists, Ex-Co-employees Among Harvey Weinstein's Latest Competitors

What week for Harvey Weinstein: Win a truckload of Oscars on Sunday, re-on the PR war while using MPAA on Tuesday, then today - as his company's other notable French import Intouchables prepares due to its U.S. premiere in NY City - start a trans-Atlantic flame war with France's most infamously racist old coot. It's like Linsanity, but also for Hollywood megalomaniacs! Weinsanity! And there's more. First though, here's the well-known, ultra-conservative French nationalist and political firebrand asshole Jean-Marie Le Pen striking the scales on Intouchables, the blockbuster buddy flick about (per a Weinstein Co. statement) "a wealthy, physically disabled winning player, the look of established French nobility, who lost his wife inside an accident and whose world is switched upside lower because he utilizes a young, good-humored, black Muslim ex-disadvantage as his caretaker." I am unsure how one exclaims, "Say whaaaa?" in French, nevertheless it probably sounds something such as this: That aforementioned Weinstein Company statement translates: France is similar to this handicapped person stuck in this particular mobility device, and we'll have to wait for aid of these suburb youngsters as well as the immigration generally. I don't subscribe so far of view. It's a movie, one. And that we must go by doing this rather than for example money for hard times. It may be an emergency if France would find itself inside the same situation as this poor handicapped person. On one for reds, situation Le Pen being Le Pen. Large deal. Alternatively, have a look at Harvey being Harvey - i.e. waiting an entire month following a interview broadcast (he acquired Intouchables' distribution and British-language remake rights last summer season) to set up towards the easiest, fattest target imaginable on his film's account: "It is not an unpredicted to hear this type of intolerant statement within the guy who founded and was leader in the extreme-right, xenophobic, racist National Front party. Le Pen developed a repulsive statement, representing a bigoted world view. And also at this time around, Jean-Marie's daughter, Marine Le Pen, is running for leader of France since the leader in the National Front party -- and he or she is fourth inside the polls with almost 16% in the population likely to election on her behalf. That's frightening in my opinion, but you have to speak up and speak out against Le Pen and also the ideas. This is why I'm proud to produce THE INTOUCHABLES to American audiences. This movie is founded on an authentic story, which is a fascinating, very entertaining demonstration of how simple human connection trounces socioeconomic, religious and racial divides." Perfect. I enjoy Intouchables premieres today since the Opening Evening film of Lincoln subsequently subsequently Center's exclusive Rendez-Vous with French Cinema series and opens May 25 in limited release? Ahem. Meanwhile, all Harvey's recent protesting-too-much has become among its most devastating rebuttals so far from Rob Lipsky, the prior indie professional switched filmmaker who got his come from the Weinsteins' Miramax regime. Which have created current day amazing takedown at indieWIRE, where Lipsky further uncovered Harvey's hypocritical, gratuitously self-serving and exploitative handling of his documentary Bully: I dislike bullying and then try to have. I furthermore include an abiding contempt for hypocrisy. If Harvey has, really, awesome, he must be launched and inform them freely. He or she must own his past behavior, admit to his addiction bullying is certainly a dependancy, ultimately, both to energy and dominance and pledge not to bully anybody again. If hes trying to find ink and debate (which he's really) there's forget about honest or effective way of him as well as the film to be. [...] Harvey, there is a rare chance with Bully to actually gradually slowly move the needle by leaving the earth a far greater place. For me that youd need to see bullying stop. For me that you'd like every child, parent, and educator in the united states to find out Bully, and not for your boxoffice. Consider making that incredibly high equine of yours and rehearse that bully pulpit to make certain children, parents and instructors everywhere when you are in a position to reform, anyone can. Light a fire place, Harvey, for every kid thats ever cajolled someone too for each parent who trained them how. Ouch. Your move, Harvey. Follow S.T. VanAirsdale on Twitter. Follow Movieline on Twitter.