Juliette Binoche Says ‘We Shouldn’t Forget’ Harvey Weinstein ‘Was A Great Producer’

By Corey Atad. Published: 7 Feb 2019 9:55 AM

Photo: Eric Robert/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images

French actress Juliette Binoche thinks the public needs to lay off Harvey Weinstein.

Speaking at the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany where she is serving as head of the festival jury, the 54-year-old star weighed in on the disgraced producer, who has been accused by dozens of women of sexual assault, harassment, and misconduct.

“I almost want to say peace to his mind and heart, that’s all,” Binoche said, according to Variety. “I’m trying to put my feet in his shoes. He’s had enough, I think. A lot of people have expressed themselves. Now justice has to do its work.”

Binoche worked with Weinstein, who is facing a criminal sexual assault charge in New York, on the films “Chocolat” and “The English Patient”, for which she won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.

“I never had problems with him but I could see that he had problems,” Binoche added. “As a producer he was wonderful, most of the time. I think he was a great producer. That we shouldn’t forget, even though it’s been difficult for some directors and actors and especially actresses. I just want to say, peace to his mind and let justice do what it needs to do.”

Binoche also spoke about the festival’s efforts to promote gender equality, referring to a conversation she had with Berlinale director Dieter Kosslick.

“He said, ‘I didn’t select them because they are women, but because they are great films.’ I think that’s a good step forward,” she said. “Ten years ago it was not like that.”