Susan Sarandon has gone on the record, expressing disdain for Woody Allen at the Cannes Film Festival on Sunday over past abuse claims involving the director.
“I think he sexually assaulted a child and I don’t think that’s right,” the 69-year-old actress said during a discussion with Geena Davis about women in film.
“I have nothing good to say about him,” added Sarandon, one of the few Hollywood performers to publicly criticize the acclaimed and prolific filmmaker who has continued to draw A-list talent to his projects. “I don’t want to go there.”
Allen’s new film “Cafe Society” opened at Cannes last week, and comedian Laurent Lafitte made a rape joke referencing both director Roman Polanski and allegations that Allen sexually abused his stepdaughter, Dylan Farrow.
To add insult to injury, Allen’s son, Ronan Farrow, wrote a column in The Hollywood Reporter that criticized the media for not looking more closely into past abuse allegations against his father.
The discussion with Sarandon and Davis, titled Women in Motion, was hosted by media outlet Variety and luxury goods company Kering.
Sarandon and Davis also discussed strong roles for women in film and the lack of women directors, according to Variety.