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Javier Bardem Defends Woody Allen, Says He Has 'Doubts' About Allegations

(Photo: Fotonoticias via Getty Images)
(Photo: Fotonoticias via Getty Images)

Spanish actor Javier Bardem says he has “doubts” about the sexual misconduct allegations against Woody Allen and defended the director in a recent interview about his film “Escobar.”

In discussion with French publication Paris Match, Bardem said he is “absolutely not” ashamed to have worked with Allen when asked if he was. Bardem and his wife, actress Penelope Cruz, both starred in Allen’s 2008 film “Vicky Cristina Barcelona.”

“I am very shocked by this sudden treatment,” said Bardem referring to the recent scrutiny on Allen in light of the Me Too movement. “Judgments in the states of New York and Connecticut found him innocent. The legal situation today is the same as in 2007. If there was evidence that Woody Allen was guilty, then yes, I would have stopped working with him, but I have doubts.”

Bardem did not elaborate as to what the “doubts” he had were about. Dylan Farrow, Allen’s adopted daughter, has accused the film director of molesting her. In a February 2014 op-ed published in The New York Times, Farrow alleges that Allen “routinely did things to make her uncomfortable, such as sticking his thumb in her mouth and placing her head in his lap.” Allen has denied Farrow’s allegations.

Actress Mia Farrow, director Woody Allen, and their children Dylan and Satchel, 13th January 1988.  (Photo: Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images)
Actress Mia Farrow, director Woody Allen, and their children Dylan and Satchel, 13th January 1988.  (Photo: Time & Life Pictures via Getty Images)

In another question, Bardem addressed the growing Me Too movement. He said he was uneasy with the idea that women and men are pitted against one another:

“I’m fortunate to have been raised by a very strong mother who taught me to respect women. Today, we have the impression there are men on one side and women on the other, which sends a very bad message to the younger generation,” the actor said.

“The goal is not to be against each other but to be with others,” he added.

Bardem’s wife, Cruz, has spoken out about the Me Too movement as well, telling PorterEdit in February. “It has to change the rules of our industry and all the other industries in which women are being repressed in so many different ways,” she said. “It cannot just be something that’s there to fill.”

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Woody Allen, American actor, director and writer. Portrait 1989.
Woody Allen, American actor, director and writer. Portrait 1989.
Left to right: Irish actor Peter O'Toole, French actress Nicole Karen, American actor, writer and comedian Woody Allen and English director Clive Donner in Montparnasse, Paris during filming of 'What's New, Pussycat', 1965. 
Left to right: Irish actor Peter O'Toole, French actress Nicole Karen, American actor, writer and comedian Woody Allen and English director Clive Donner in Montparnasse, Paris during filming of 'What's New, Pussycat', 1965. 
30th July 1971: US film actor and director Woody Allen. 
30th July 1971: US film actor and director Woody Allen. 
Woody Allen and Candice Bergen on 'The Woody Allen Special', September 9, 1969. 
Woody Allen and Candice Bergen on 'The Woody Allen Special', September 9, 1969. 
Photo of Woody Allen, 1970.
Photo of Woody Allen, 1970.
Woody Allen poses for a portrait circa 1960 in New York City, New York. 
Woody Allen poses for a portrait circa 1960 in New York City, New York. 
Woody Allen with his arms resting on a typewriter in a scene from the film 'Play It Again, Sam', 1972. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)
Woody Allen with his arms resting on a typewriter in a scene from the film 'Play It Again, Sam', 1972. (Photo by Paramount/Getty Images)
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 18:  Woody Allen attends the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France.  (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
CANNES, FRANCE - MAY 18: Woody Allen attends the 68th annual Cannes Film Festival on May 18, 2015 in Cannes, France. (Photo by Tristan Fewings/Getty Images)
American actors Diane Keaton and Woody Allen walk along a street and talk in a scene from 'Annie Hall,' directed by Allen, New York, New York, 1977. 
American actors Diane Keaton and Woody Allen walk along a street and talk in a scene from 'Annie Hall,' directed by Allen, New York, New York, 1977. 
American actor, director and screenwriter Woody Allen, September 1980. 
American actor, director and screenwriter Woody Allen, September 1980. 
US director Woody Allen poses with his wife Soon-Yi at the Lumiere Institute in Lyon, south of France, during a private visit, hours before his jazz concert at the Vienna antic theatre with the 'New Orleans Jazz Band' 08 September 2003.
US director Woody Allen poses with his wife Soon-Yi at the Lumiere Institute in Lyon, south of France, during a private visit, hours before his jazz concert at the Vienna antic theatre with the 'New Orleans Jazz Band' 08 September 2003.
Soon-Yi Previn and Woody Allen with kids.
Soon-Yi Previn and Woody Allen with kids.
Woody Allen receives the Donosti Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kursaal Palace.
Woody Allen receives the Donosti Special Lifetime Achievement Award at the Kursaal Palace.
US cinema director Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band perform during their first concert of a Spanish tour at Salamanca University in Salamanca 04 September 2003. 
US cinema director Woody Allen and his New Orleans Jazz Band perform during their first concert of a Spanish tour at Salamanca University in Salamanca 04 September 2003. 
U.S actor Woody Allen in Rome to present his new film 'Melinda and Melinda'. Woody Allen returns to form as writer & director with this film starring: Will Ferrell Radha Mitchell Chloe Sevigny and Wallace Shawn and after the presentation of the film Woody gave a jazz concert in a theater in downtown Rome, Italy on December 12th, 2004. 
U.S actor Woody Allen in Rome to present his new film 'Melinda and Melinda'. Woody Allen returns to form as writer & director with this film starring: Will Ferrell Radha Mitchell Chloe Sevigny and Wallace Shawn and after the presentation of the film Woody gave a jazz concert in a theater in downtown Rome, Italy on December 12th, 2004. 

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