The BBC is planning a feature-length documentary that is set to give the "definitive" account of the Harvey Weinstein scandal. It has some fantastic talent behind it too, with two-time Oscar-winning producer Simon Chinn on board with his production company Lightbox while Ursula MacFarlane (Charlie Hebdo: Three Days That Shook Paris) will direct.
The 90-minute documentary will feature interviews with actresses who have accused Weinstein of misconduct as well as with journalists, producers, directors, actors, agents and lawyers involved in the scandal, with some of the people speaking publicly for the first time about the story.
Simon Chinn, who has produced Oscar-winning documentaries Man on Wire and Searching for Sugar Man, said, "As a little bit of an [industry] insider, I was fascinated with the story as it unfolded and not a little shocked," he told Variety. "As much as people knew a lot about Harvey and his reputation, there was plenty that we didn’t know."
Chinn added, "As the story evolved, we started to think about the industry as a whole and the culture and complicity of the industry, and the question of how Harvey got away with that level of alleged behaviour and... whether we are looking at a real watershed moment."
Those at production company Lightbox are already discovering new aspects of the story, while Weinstein himself will also be given the opportunity to do an interview.
Chinn felt strongly that a woman be at the helm of the project, speaking about director Ursula MacFarlane he said, "I think she will come at the story with a female perspective. She’s an incredibly sensitive filmmaker who will be able to relate to many of the victims of [Weinstein’s] alleged abuse with great sensitivity."
Patrick Holland, controller of the BBC Two channel, added, "The breaking of silence over Harvey Weinstein is a watershed moment for the creative industries and for wider society. Ursula is a brilliant filmmaker and is perfectly placed to make the definitive documentary, piecing together the story of just how he abused his power and position."
Tom McDonald, head of commissioning of natural history and specialist factual for the BBC, said the documentary, called "Weinstein", would be a landmark feature on Hollywood and the Weinstein saga. "This is a film which will ask difficult and challenging questions about complicity, the price of silence and the corrosive effects of power, and I’m certain that Lightbox will bring their signature approach to this important subject," he said.
"Weinstein" is the first major documentary on the scandal to be announced however as it will take most of 2018 to produce a comprehensive account, it's unlikely it will be the first to be aired. The documentary will be shown on BBC2 but the broadcaster is also hoping to have an Academy and BAFTA award-qualifying theatrical release.
