Ahead of the Berlin Film Festival, actor and this year’s president of the international jury Jeremy Irons took a moment to address resurfaced, highly controversial comments regarding abortion, same-sex marriage, and sexual harassment. Per Variety, Irons opened the jury’s press conference with a brief acknowledgment of his role as president before cutting to the heart of the dissent that has surrounded the Berlinale for weeks.
“I should like, not as the jury president, but on a personal level to address various comments that I have reportedly made in the past, and which have resurfaced in certain sections of the press over the past few weeks. I wish I didn’t have to take up time with this, but I don’t want it to continue as a distraction to the Berlinale,” he told the room. Irons went on to address each issue individually:
“Let me make my views this morning entirely clear on these particular subjects once and for all. Firstly, I support wholeheartedly the global movement to address the inequality of women’s rights, and to protect them from abusive, damaging, and disrespectful harassment, both at home and in the workplace.
“Secondly, I applaud the legislation of same-sex marriage, wherever it has been attained, and I hope that such enlightened legislation will continue to spread into more and more societies. And thirdly, I support wholeheartedly the right of women to have an abortion, should they so decide.
“These three human rights are, I believe, essential steps toward a civilized and humane society, for which we should all continue to strive. There are many parts of the world where these rights do not yet exist, where such ways of living lead to imprisonment, and even to death.”
The issues surrounding Irons’ appointment to jury president stem from comments made back in 2011 where the actor said to U.K.’s Radio Times, “if a man puts his hand on a woman’s bottom, any woman worth her salt can deal with it. It’s communication. Can’t we be friendly?” He also defended the Church’s right to deem abortion a sin and suggested in a 2013 interview with HuffPost that legalizing gay marriage could encourage fathers to marry their sons to avoid certain taxation, though he also stated that he “[didn’t] have a strong feeling either way” on the subject. As some of the films entered in this year’s Berlinale address those specific issues, including Eliza Hittman’s abortion drama Never Rarely Sometimes Always, there was a concern that lingering sentiments made him an unfit choice for president.
Today, Irons is assuring the public that those feels remain in the past, and that he hopes to put the issue to rest: “I hope that some of the films we will be watching will address these problems, among many others we face in our world, and I look forward to watching films in this year’s Berlinale which will provoke us to question attitudes, prejudices, and worldwide perceptions of life as we know it. I hope that’s put my past comments to bed.”
302139 391743Youre so cool! I dont suppose Ive read anything such as this before. So good to get somebody with some original thoughts on this topic. realy we appreciate you starting this up. this fabulous web site are some points that is required on the internet, somebody with a little originality. beneficial work for bringing a new challenge on the world wide web! 230578
257445 118107never saw a web site like this, relaly impressed. compared to other blogs with this write-up this was definatly the very best website. will save. 155779
461698 100351But another intelligent weblog! Completely cannot wait for a good deal more! 160657
435359 33647Its superb as your other posts : D, regards for posting . 373778
414549 875854I like this weblog so a lot, saved to fav. 618857
810417 577554You Finally want the respect off your family and friends? 181318
987681 634572You must participate in a contest for probably the greatest blogs on the web. I will recommend this web site! 142483
265569 837797Youll uncover some fascinating points in time in this post but I do not know if I see all of them center to heart. Theres some validity but I will take hold opinion until I appear into it further. Fantastic post , thanks and we want significantly far more! Added to FeedBurner too 637117
462664 911298I surely did not realize that. Learnt some thing new these days! Thanks for that. 591841
141845 152693But wanna comment on couple of common things, The web site style is perfect, the content material material is genuinely great : D. 685167
82524 228705I must admit that this is 1 great insight. It surely gives a company the opportunity to get in on the ground floor and actually take part in creating something particular and tailored to their needs. 142112
273400 782274A truly fascinating read, I could well not agree totally, but you do make some quite legitimate factors. 911844
489988 258503You got a quite good internet site, Gladiola I discovered it by way of yahoo. 84151
845253 272119Most beneficial human beings toasts really should amuse and present give about the couple. Beginner audio systems previous to obnoxious throngs would be wise to remember often the valuable signal employing grow to be, which is to be an individuals home. finest man speech examples 762524
387727 911476Perfectly written subject material , thanks for selective information . 630118
756128 483487magnificent post, really informative. I wonder why the other specialists of this sector do not notice this. You need to continue your writing. Im sure, youve a terrific readers base already! 862481
721434 721043Hi there. Quite cool site!! Guy .. Beautiful .. Fantastic .. I will bookmark your site and take the feeds additionallyI am glad to locate so considerably beneficial info right here within the write-up. Thanks for sharing 100069
292648 840460Read more on that Post.Useful information. 594615
563458 207239extremely very good put up, i definitely adore this internet internet site, maintain on it 752058
133927 838442Its amazing as your other posts : D, appreciate it for putting up. 85001
120433 352142I just couldnt depart your internet site prior to suggesting that I really enjoyed the regular information an individual offer for your visitors? Is gonna be back often as a way to inspect new posts 288444
723811 141482Aw, i thought this was an very very good post. In thought I would like to invest writing in this way moreover – taking time and actual effort to manufacture a really good article but exactly what do I say I procrastinate alot and no indicates apparently go completed. 441241
370047 263088Nie and informative post, your every post worth atleast something. 798687
758781 851391Some truly good stuff on this website , I like it. 286748
523423 683776Some genuinely superb weblog posts on this web site , regards for contribution. 181219
247224 982047I want seeking at and I believe this website got some really helpful stuff on it! . 225311
362867 13056I really like your writing style truly enjoying this internet site . 811473
554927 9400Wow, cool post. Id like to write like this too – taking time and real effort to make a good article but I procrastinate too a lot and never appear to get started. Thanks though. 760243
728440 743947 Nice post. I learn something much more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a bit something from their store. Id prefer to use some with the content on my weblog whether you dont mind. Natually Ill give you a link on your internet blog. Thanks for sharing. 474767
512558 757906Usually I dont read this kind of stuff, but this was actually intriguing! 28315
951617 341532Hello super schner Webblog den ihr da habt. Bin gerade ber die Google Suche darber gestolpert. Gefllt mir echt super gut. macht weiter so. MFG Martina 114206
81572 764293Respect to web site author , some very good selective data . 640722
107577 608319This is the sort of data Ive long been in search of. Thanks for posting this info. 218601
972645 796665Hello! I could have sworn Ive been to this weblog before but right after browsing by way of some with the post I realized its new to me. Anyways, Im surely happy I located it and Ill be book-marking and checking back regularly! 69248