Back in 2010, Casey Affleck was accused of sexual harassment in two suits from women who worked on his film I’m Still Here. And then on Sunday, he won an Oscar for his performance in Manchester By The Sea. Though the sexism implicit in commending Affleck despite widespread knowledge of the suits did not go undiscussed throughout awards season, it also apparently did not deter Academy members from awarding him Best Actor. But on social media, many people condemned the victory.
Now, Affleck, who has denied the allegations, was asked to respond to the negative reaction in The Boston Globe. While he maintained that he could not comment on the cases that were settled, he did say he believed “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.” He continued: “There’s really nothing I can do about it,” he said. “Other than live my life the way I know I live it and to speak to what my own values are and how I try to live by them all the time.”
Mind you, these statements were buried in a largely glowing profile, focused on how Affleck has emerged from his brother Ben’s shadow. But last year’s best actress winner, Brie Larson, appeared to silently protest during the ceremony by not clapping for Affleck after she announced his win.