People don’t support Affleck’s Oscar win after he was accused of sex crimes
Sunday saw Casey Affleck take home the prestigious award for Best Actor at the Oscars for his role in Manchester By The Sea. Though the world should have been applauding his heart-wrenching portrayal in the film that was nominated in a number of categories that night, social media soon erupted with angry voices. Viewers did not like the fact that someone who has previously been accused of sexual assault charges was being applauded by the Academy.
See also: All the winners at the 89th Academy Awards
Casey Affleck decided to speak up about the outburst from the public and directly addressed the issue. The 41-year-old actor said, “I believe that any kind of mistreatment of anyone for any reason is unacceptable and abhorrent, and everyone deserves to be treated with respect in the workplace and anywhere else. There’s really nothing I can do about it. Other than live my life the way I know I live it and speak to what my own values are and how I try to live by them all the time.”
Back in 2010, Affleck was accused by two woman of sexual assault while he was working on the sets of I’m Still Here. The case was finally settled out of court, and further details are not known, neither have the identities of the two women been revealed. At the time, Casey had said that the charges filed against him were “preposterous and without merit”. In fact, he says that both parties are not allowed to speak in public about the alleged incidents, and that the public doesn’t really know what happened those years ago.
Boys! BUY ur way out of trouble by settling out of court!Just do a good acting job,thats all that matters!bc Art isn't about humanity,right?
— Constance Wu (@ConstanceWu) January 24, 2017
Can we check Best Actor again
— B.J. Novak (@bjnovak) February 27, 2017
Women get fired for reporting sexual harassment and men win awards for committing it #oscars #CaseyAffleck
— Preston Bradsher (@prestonleighb) February 27, 2017
So, in the USA when u get accused of sexual harassment 2 things happen: either you win an Oscar or you get elected President. #CaseyAffleck
— Danyren ? (@livresjaunes) February 27, 2017
But some still supported the actor.
Just seen #ManchesterByTheSea. #CaseyAffleck might not a fine gent but he is a damn good actor and he owns every single bit of that #Oscars
— Ly Stine (@ly_stine) March 1, 2017
If you haven't seen @MBTSMovie, you should. Awesome performance by #CaseyAffleck. Well deserved Best Actor #Oscars
— Jᴀsᴏɴ W. Tᴀʏʟᴏʀ (@JWadeTaylor) February 27, 2017
During his Best Actor award acceptance speech, he was grateful for being recognized by the Academy and the film community present. “I wish I had something bigger and more meaningful to say, but I’m just really proud to be a part of this community and I look out at all of you and I have this whole year. And it means a lot to me.” He even took the time to appreciate his brother, fellow actor and Oscar winner, Ben Affleck. “Of course, my mother and father, mostly, usually believing in me in doing this. And Ben Affleck, I love you. You ain’t heavy. Thank you all very much.”
Another famous face who has won an Academy Award is the famous director, Roman Polanski. He was accused, and pleaded guilty to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. His ultimate escape to Switzerland prevented him from receiving the award for the film The Ghost Writer in 2010. It looks like personal crimes are not counted when being awarded for outstanding performances.
