The Woody Allegations: Not so fast

[bluestreet]

www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/27/the-woody-allen-allegations-not-so-fast.html

The Woody Allen Allegations: Not So Fast

Twenty-one years after the first allegations that Woody Allen abused his adopted daughter, that incident is back in the news thanks to the director’s ex-partner, Mia Farrow, and estranged son, Ronan Farrow. But what does a closer examination reveal?


As anyone with access to a computer knows, Woody Allen has been pilloried of late across the internet, over allegations that 21 years ago, he molested the daughter he and Mia Farrow adopted in 1985. Countless people have weighed in on this, many of them without the slightest idea of what the facts are in this matter. I consider myself allergic to gossip and tabloids, and go out of my way to avoid them. So when a celebrity is being devoured by the two-headed piranha of gossip and innuendo, I usually have minimal understanding of what they did, or were alleged to have done. Woody Allen is an exception.



I produced and directed the two-part PBS special, Woody Allen: A Documentary, that premiered in the U.S. on the “American Masters” series. I also supervised and consulted on the brief clip montage that aired as part of the recent Golden Globes telecast, when Allen received the Cecil B. DeMille Award for Lifetime Achievement.



When I went online the morning after the Globes broadcast, I found more than one email asking if I had seen the previous night’s tweets from Mia Farrow and her son, Ronan. A quick search led me not only to the accusatory tweets, but to the explosion of internet chatter that followed in their wake. The more benevolent comments suggested Woody should rot in jail. Others were demanding his head on a pike.



Last fall, Vanity Fair magazine ran an article about Mia and her family, which included an interview with the 28-year-old Malone (née Dylan), who, at the age of seven, was at the center of Mia’s allegations that made headlines during the brutal custody battle between her and Woody. In the recent interview, Malone stands behind her mother’s accusation. It was the one-two punch of the Vanity Fair piece and the Farrow tweets that stirred up the hornet’s nest that had remained somewhat dormant over the past 20 years.



My documentary covered Allen’s relationship with Soon-Yi Previn (Mia’s adopted daughter and Woody’s wife of 16 years) and the ensuing fall-out, but I chose not to go down the rabbit hole detailing the custody case, as my film was primarily about his work, and I had no interest in allowing it to turn into a courtroom drama. I did, however, thoroughly research the entire episode in order to reach my own conclusions about what did or didn’t take place.



My association with Woody is primarily a professional one, though we’ve remained friendly since the documentary and still occasionally correspond by email via his assistant (since Woody still types on a 60-year old manual typewriter). When I wrote him the day after the ceremony, he was vaguely aware that Mia and Ronan had badmouthed him (again), but he wasn’t certain what Twitter was. (He’s heard of blogging and always confuses the two.) Because he doesn’t go online, he was blissfully unaware of how much ink (sorry, bandwidth) the story was getting. If he had known, he still wouldn’t have cared. Mia’s accusations were old business, and the fact that Ronan was publicly chiming in meant nothing to Woody, who hadn’t even seen his (alleged) son for 20 years. I also knew Woody would never publicly respond to any of this. His indifference to the gossip has always struck me not as a decision so much as an involuntary and organic reaction. In fact, during a written exchange that day in which I mentioned the tweet attack, he was more focused on giving me advice about a stye I had on my eyelid that I joked was probably a brain tumor: “I agree, you probably do have a brain tumor. You should get your affairs in order quickly as those things can move rather rapidly. You’ll probably start to have some problems with your balance—don’t panic—it’s quite natural for a brain tumor.” He then counseled me not to use up my “remaining days” fretting over Mia.



As the day progressed, it seemed the misinformation on the internet was growing exponentially spurious by the minute. The more even-keeled bloggers and pundits were asking, “Is it possible to separate the art from the artist?” or “Is America ready to forgive Woody Allen?” The very phrasing of these questions presumed that Woody had done something terrible, and we had to decide how much we would let it bother us. My wife suggested that in absence of a response by Woody, he was being swiftboated. His silence created a vacuum that everybody with a keyboard was going to fill with whatever they believed or thought they believed or heard from someone else who heard from someone who linked to the Vanity Fair article.



I considered whether to enter the fray, since my credentials were in order, so to speak. I had researched these events, I knew Woody—was friendly with him, but we weren’t so close that anyone could rightfully accuse me of being in his pocket. Quite the opposite in fact, as Woody had already advised me not to get involved. But as I came across more and more articles and blogs filled with misinformation, my wife said something to me that struck a chord: “You have just as much right to weigh in on this as anyone else, regardless of what Woody thinks.”



So here I go—contributing to the very noise I’ve been complaining about.



******************



There are basically two issues at play here. One is Woody’s starting a romantic/sexual relationship with Mia’s adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn, in 1991. The other is Mia’s accusation—used during their custody battle for their three shared children—that Woody molested their 7-year-old adopted daughter Dylan. People tend to confuse these two issues, so let’s examine them separately.



First, the Soon-Yi situation:



Every time I stumble upon this topic on the internet, it seems the people who are most outraged are also the most ignorant of the facts. Following are the top ten misconceptions, followed by my response in italics:



#1: Soon-Yi was Woody’s daughter. False.



#2: Soon-Yi was Woody’s step-daughter. False.



#3: Soon-Yi was Woody and Mia’s adopted daughter. False. Soon-Yi was the adopted daughter of Mia Farrow and André Previn. Her full name was Soon-Yi Farrow Previn.







#4: Woody and Mia were married. False.



#5: Woody and Mia lived together. False. Woody lived in his apartment on Fifth Ave. Mia and her kids lived on Central Park West. In fact, Woody never once stayed over night at Mia’s apartment in 12 years.



#6: Woody and Mia had a common-law marriage. False. New York State does not recognize common law marriage. Even in states that do, a couple has to cohabitate for a certain number of years.



#7: Soon-Yi viewed Woody as a father figure. False. Soon-Yi saw Woody as her mother’s boyfriend. Her father figure was her adoptive father, André Previn.



#8: Soon-Yi was underage when she and Woody started having relations. False. She was either 19 or 21. (Her year of birth in Korea was undocumented, but believed to be either 1970 or ’72.)



#9: Soon-Yi was borderline retarded. Ha! She’s smart as a whip, has a degree from Columbia University and speaks more languages than you.



#10: Woody was grooming Soon-Yi from an early age to be his child bride. Oh, come on! According to court documents and Mia’s own memoir, until 1990 (when Soon-Yi was 18 or 20), Woody “had little to do with any of the Previn children, (but) had the least to do with Soon-Yi” so Mia encouraged him to spend more time with her. Woody started taking her to basketball games, and the rest is tabloid history. So he hardly “had his eye on her” from the time she was a child.



Let me add this: If anyone is creeped out by the notion of a 55-year old man becoming involved with his girlfriend’s 19-year old adopted daughter, I understand. That makes perfect sense. But why not get the facts straight? If the actual facts are so repugnant to you, then why embellish them?



It’s understandable that Mia would remain furious with Woody for the rest of her life. If I were in Mia’s position, I’m sure I’d feel the same way. (Though I’d likely handle it as a private matter and not be tweeting about him being a pedophile, just before tweeting, “omfg look at this baby panda.”) I also understand the simmering anger of Ronan Farrow (née Satchel), who has famously said of Allen, “He’s my father married to my sister. That makes me his son and his brother-in-law. That is such a moral transgression.” However, this particular dilemma might be resolved by Mia’s recent revelations that Ronan’s biological father may “possibly” be Frank Sinatra, whom Farrow married in 1966, when she was 21 and the crooner was 50.



While we’re on the subject, a word about this Sinatra business: To even say that Ronan is “possibly” Sinatra’s son implies that Mia was fooling around with her ex-husband decades after their divorce. Backdating from Ronan’s birthdate, it means that Farrow and Sinatra “hooked up” in March of 1987 when Mia was 42 and Old Blue Eyes was 71. This sort of dispels the myth that Woody and Mia had this idyllic, loving, monogamous relationship until Woody threw it all away in 1992, since Mia was apparently diddling her ex, five years earlier. If Mia was “just kidding” about the Sinatra scenario, it was an awfully insensitive thing to say, considering the fact that Sinatra’s wife, Barbara, is still very much alive. Did Mia stop to think how her coy tease might be perceived by the widow Sinatra? One can only wonder if this also fits Ronan’s definition of a “moral transgression.” (One may also wonder whether Woody is owed a fortune in reimbursement for child support.)



I am not here to slam Mia. I think she’s an exceptional actress and I seriously admire her political activism. (I even follow her on Twitter.) But those who hate Woody “for what he did to Mia,” should be reminded that if Sinatra was indeed Ronan’s biological father, it’s not the first time Mia had a child by a married man. In 1969, at the age of 24, she became pregnant by musician/composer André Previn, 40, who was still married to singer/songwriter Dory Previn. The betrayal is said to have led to Dory Previn’s mental breakdown and institutionalization, during which she received electroconvulsive therapy. She would later write a song called, “Beware of Young Girls” about Mia. Maybe sleeping with your friend’s husband doesn’t earn as many demerits as sleeping with your girlfriend’s adopted daughter, but if you’re waving the “Never Forget” banner in Mia’s honor, let’s be consistent and take a moment to also remember the late Dory Previn. (Or better yet, let’s forget the whole damn thing, considering it’s none of our business.)

read the rest: www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/01/27/the-woody-allen-allegations-not-so-fast.html

[bluestreet]

I didn't post this as a defense of Woody Allen, and I don't know what's the what with Malone, but it was interesting nonetheless.

Most interesting to me was how this compared Mia's and Woody's romantic and narcissistic behaviors. They are both assholes, at the very least, their charitable and artistic endeavors notwithstanding.

[StrawberryBlondie]

Is Ronan the hot lawyer?

Yes, that is my contribution to this thread.

[AJL]

Jan 29, 2014 13:26:28 GMT -5 bluestreet said:

I didn't post this as a defense of Woody Allen, and I don't know what's the what with Malone, but it was interesting nonetheless.

Most interesting to me was how this compared Mia's and Woody's romantic and narcissistic behaviors. They are both assholes, at the very least, their charitable and artistic endeavors notwithstanding.

Yeah I brought this up around the Golden Globes.  No one wants to hear it apparently. Also there are allegations floating around that Allen molested another daughter. I don't know. The Soon-Yi thing never bothered me. At best it's "meh" worthy.

[AJL]

Jan 29, 2014 13:42:25 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Is Ronan the hot lawyer?

Yes, that is my contribution to this thread.

Hot? Hmmm... I don't know, but he sure is a striking resemblance to Sinatra (as combined with Mia Farrow).

[tef]

The Soon-yi was always ick to me, but koko. The allegations of the 7 year old are what trouble me. A lot. The child has come out with these allegations.

[Deleted]

I'm uncomfortable with the article despite having no position on the issue. Mia's a slut, so Woody couldn't possibly be a pedophile? Nice argument, bro.

[Deleted]

Reading this article made me think a lot less of Mia Farrow.

[Deleted]

I'm not really sure how Mia has room to flip her shit over Soon Yi considering Mia was about the same age when she started up with Sinatra's 50 year old ass.

As to the rest, I really think Mia's brother might have molested Dylan. I also read somewhere that Mia went back and finished a film with Woody after accusing him of molesting Dylan and even considered making another movie with him after the fact.

So really, I just don't know what to believe with those two. Of course Woody can still be a pedophile. I just don't know.

It's far easier to take a stand on Polanski.

[Deleted]

I do think the author makes some good points about Woody be investigated pretty thoroughly. Whatever happened to innocent until proven guilty?

Lawyers... Could he sue Mia or Ronan for slander?

[bluestreet]

Jan 29, 2014 13:55:34 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

I'm uncomfortable with the article despite having no position on the issue. Mia's a slut, so Woody couldn't possibly be a pedophile? Nice argument, bro.

No, he's saying that Woody's behavior with Soon-Yi parallels Mia's behavior with Sinatra and Previn.

His defense of Woody wrt Dylan/Malone is separately argued, and I found it at least compelling.

[laurenpetro]

Between this and the follow-up Polanski documentary I have a hard time taking any documentarian seriously when the subject is their cash-cow. Bias is bias.

[bluestreet]

Jan 29, 2014 14:03:35 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

I'm not really sure how Mia has room to flip her shit over Soon Yi considering Mia was about the same age when she started up with Sinatra's 50 year old ass.

As to the rest, I really think Mia's brother might have molested Dylan. I also read somewhere that Mia went back and finished a film with Woody after accusing him of molesting Dylan and even considered making another movie with him after the fact.

So really, I just don't know what to believe with those two. Of course Woody can still be a pedophile. I just don't know.

It's far easier to take a stand on Polanski.

Agreed on all counts. 

And the fact that Mia consented to having footage with her shown in it during the Woody Allen tribute, only to tweet criticism about honoring a pedophile? Just grossly opportunistic at both turns.  

[StrawberryBlondie]

Jan 29, 2014 13:52:47 GMT -5 AJL said:

Jan 29, 2014 13:42:25 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Is Ronan the hot lawyer?

Yes, that is my contribution to this thread.

Hot? Hmmm... I don't know, but he sure is a striking resemblance to Sinatra (as combined with Mia Farrow).

Yep, that's the one I was thinking of.

Lawyer sexiness standards are different than the general public.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2014 14:00:48 GMT -5 toledo said:

Jan 29, 2014 13:55:34 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

I'm uncomfortable with the article despite having no position on the issue. Mia's a slut, so Woody couldn't possibly be a pedophile? Nice argument, bro.

This is hardly the argument he's making.  Did you read the entire article?

I read what was cut and pasted here because the link didn't work to the rest. I still think her sexual past is irrelevant in a conversation about how appropriate his actions were, either in relation to his current wife or Mia's daughter. 

Also, don't care. 

[msmerymac]

Woody Allen doesn't care about gossip, so we shouldn't, either?

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2014 14:17:09 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Woody Allen doesn't care about gossip, so we shouldn't, either?

Did you read the whole article or just the part that was c&p'd here?

[mcsangel2]

Jan 29, 2014 14:09:13 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

Jan 29, 2014 14:00:48 GMT -5 toledo said:

This is hardly the argument he's making.  Did you read the entire article?

I read what was cut and pasted here because the link didn't work to the rest. I still think her sexual past is irrelevant in a conversation about how appropriate his actions were, either in relation to his current wife or Mia's daughter. 

Also, don't care. 

DH read the article and gave me the high points. Basically, Woody was never indicted (was he even charged?) with molestation, because the cops, psychologists, etc could not find any compelling evidence. All that there is is an audio recording, edited by Mia, of a 7 year old that sounds like she's being coached.

Also, Woody freely gave a lie detector test, and passed. Mia has always refused to take one.

[msmerymac]

Jan 29, 2014 14:19:52 GMT -5 @helenabonhamcarter said:

Jan 29, 2014 14:17:09 GMT -5 msmerymac said:

Woody Allen doesn't care about gossip, so we shouldn't, either?

Did you read the whole article or just the part that was c&p'd here?

Whole thing. But that's how he starts his argument. It's not exactly the strongest premise if you're trying to convince those who need convincing. 

[laurenpetro]

Jan 29, 2014 14:28:58 GMT -5 toledo said:

Jan 29, 2014 14:09:13 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

I read what was cut and pasted here because the link didn't work to the rest. I still think her sexual past is irrelevant in a conversation about how appropriate his actions were, either in relation to his current wife or Mia's daughter. 

Also, don't care. 

That's a pretty long excerpt to read when you don't care about the subject, especially going so far as to try to click on the link that continues it.

Oh please. I read shit on here every that I don't care one whit about.

[Deleted]

Jan 29, 2014 14:28:58 GMT -5 toledo said:

Jan 29, 2014 14:09:13 GMT -5 @missusbee said:

I read what was cut and pasted here because the link didn't work to the rest. I still think her sexual past is irrelevant in a conversation about how appropriate his actions were, either in relation to his current wife or Mia's daughter. 

Also, don't care. 

That's a pretty long excerpt to read when you don't care about the subject, especially going so far as to try to click on the link that continues it.

lol. Maybe that's true. What I meant to say is I don't have a position on whether Farrow's allegations are true or not. I'm curious by the whole thing but not influenced by a particular opinion. Which, it appears that most people are.

[Deleted]

Woody Allen is likely a sick fuck and Mia F has to be fucked up to have dated him. Daughter, step-daughter, daughter of girlfriend, whatever. It's damn creepy.

And who is the AW? I would say the author.

[AJL]

Only shit - I had no idea Mia Farrow has 15 children.

[eclaires]

I don't enjoy Woody Allen films... his brand of artistry doesn't do much for me, and I really do not care much about him one way or the other. However, back when this was initially discussed, I fell on the side of being able to understand people being suspicious/skeptical of Mia because I think she has done a lot of things that don't make a whole hell of a lot of sense and understanding why Woody's close friends do not buy that he molested Dylan and do not see an issue with supporting him or think he is a pedophile.

Reading this just cements that view, and honestly, I would say I am even further on the side that Mia probably coached this child OR her brother was the one who molested her. It sounds like the investigation was pretty thorough.

And of course it's gross that he ended up marrying his girlfriend's daughter, but whatever... it's not pedophilia.

[gpw]

Jan 29, 2014 13:52:47 GMT -5 AJL said:

Jan 29, 2014 13:42:25 GMT -5 StrawberryBlondie said:

Is Ronan the hot lawyer?

Yes, that is my contribution to this thread.

Hot? Hmmm... I don't know, but he sure is a striking resemblance to Sinatra (as combined with Mia Farrow).

WOW.     There is no way that kid is NOT Sinatra's.