As more A-list celebrities have come forward accusing movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault, the state chapter president of Tennessee Women in Film and Media has spoken out against him.
"It's been a prevailing background conversation. Not necessarily about him, but what people perceived this industry allowed for or tolerated," said Nancy Puetz. Puetz has been scheduled to hold a panel this weekend at the first Franklin International Independent Film Festival to talk about the issue.
"I think if you ask 100 women, 95 of them people have said really inappropriate things to," said Puetz. "The very idea that you can put them off by saying 'I'm not interested' is not true. That's pretend."
Weinstein has been accused of rape by three women in a recent article by The New Yorker. Puetz said the news coverage brings an opportunity for discussion about how women have been treated by some men in power.
"It happens in every business," she said. "It happens in religious groups. It happens when the people in power and control choose bad behaviors."
The panel at the film festival has been titled "Why Harvey Weinstein Matters" and covers how women should act if they find themselves in similar situations, how to get out of the situation, and where to go for help.
Puetz said it's important for executives to do the right thing if they hear of abuse happening. She said it's up to colleagues to root out the problem.
The panel will be on both Saturday and Sunday starting at 10 a.m. at Academy Park on Everbright Avenue.
