Recently a woman - Christina Engelhardt - came forward, and said she has been sexually exploited by filmmaker Woody Allen in her youth. (My wording.)
See these previous posts: here and here. ('Incidentally' the woman later worked for convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein)
She was 16 at the time, while the age of consent in NY is 17, which makes this clearly an illegal sexual exploitation of a minor - statutory rape - if true. (And I think she is highly believable.)
Today, the online edition of the British newspaper The Guardian published a defense of Woody Allen's behaviour - although she says it isn't a defense, it's exactly that.
(It starts with the sub header saying the girl was 17, although she was 16 when the illegal contact began.)
Please see for yourself:
The latest Woody Allen story is creepy, but let’s not call it criminal
by Sofka Zinovieff
I don’t defend the film director over his alleged affair with 17-year-old Christina Engelhardt, but the realities of power and sex are complex
I love the #MeToo movement. As the mother of two daughters, I’m delighted to see the rebalancing of a system that was skewed to allow sexual exploitation by men in power.
I also salute the way society is facing up to long-ago crimes, and that adults who were sexually abused as children are bringing charges against people who believed they’d got away with it.
However, as a child of the libertarian 1970s and as a former anthropologist, I am sometimes appalled when the rigidity of the law fails to allow for the complex intrigues of body and heart in matters of sex. Occasionally, our pendulum swings towards puritanism.
This week, former model and actress Christina Engelhardt claimed she had an eight-year relationship with Woody Allen, beginning when she was just under 17 and he was 41.
The movie Manhattan echoes their story. I first watched Allen’s black-and-white eulogy to New York in 1979, when I was 17 – the same age as Tracy, portrayed by Mariel Hemingway. I saw nothing wrong in her affair with Allen’s character, though admittedly it was a heady time of sexual freedom; my own boyfriend was 30.
Things have changed since then. Engelhardt claims that her story is not designed to indict her former lover. “It‘s almost as if I’m now expected to trash him,” she told the Hollywood Reporter.
However, while the relationship would have been legal in the UK, in New York, the age of consent is 17. For a couple of months, Allen allegedly breaking the law.
“Love makes no difference,” announced a social worker I met when researching my novel Putney, in which 13-year-old Daphne believes herself in love with a much older man.
It takes her decades to understand that her secret “love affair” was actually grooming and statutory rape. A child is unable to give consent; emotions are irrelevant. Nevertheless, small age measurements matter during an adolescent’s delicate transformations and when the “child” is almost 17, it looks very different.
My mother got married at 17 (my father was 27), and notwithstanding their doomed marriage, there is a danger of infantilising 17-year-olds by labelling them “children”.
Removing agency (even to make mistakes) from young people and denying them control of their bodies can be questionable, however much we value their safety.
Literature and films are littered with May-December liaisons. Jane Eyre was 18 when she fell for Mr Rochester (about double her age) and Rebecca was in her early 20s when she married a widower in his 40s. Lynn Barber’s excellent memoir (and subsequent film) An Education details her involvement with an older man when she was 16.
As is common in child abuse, Barber’s parents were “groomed” alongside her, favouring her impending marriage over university. In The Graduate, a young man is seduced by the middle-aged Mrs Robinson, and another mid-life crisis pushes Kevin Spacey’s Lester Burnham into lusting after his daughter’s 14-year-old friend in American Beauty.
Nabokov’s Lolita stands as the archetypal story of middle-aged obsession with young flesh and Humbert Humbert’s cynical pursuit of lust still shocks. In Putney, I hoped to give a voice and agency to a 1970s Lolita figure and to explore her emotions, which are manipulated but nonetheless feel real: a terrible tangle.
I would not want to defend Woody Allen in general. He has already joined the ranks of the damned in the film industry and is spurned by many. If his adopted daughter’s accusations of child molestation are true, he deserves this.
However, I would argue that Engelhardt’s “kiss and tell” celebrity claims are too flimsy to constitute another crime. Yes, Engelhardt was very young and Allen was in the position of power, but we couldn’t ban all relationships of unequal power.
I asked my student daughter her opinion of relationships such as Allen’s alleged one with Engelhardt, when the girl is not underage. “It’s not illegal, but it’s creepy,” she replied. And that’s about right.
Allen should have known better. But inside my mind there remains a nagging question about who has the right to peer inside the heart of a beautiful young woman and a skinny, balding man in his 40s and to judge them?
Yes, we must protect the young. But who can designate a particular day in teenagers’ lives, which allows them to fall in love and discover the mysteries of sex?'
I think the exact opposite is true: This clearly WAS a crime, if the allegations are true.
eucalyptus_spearmint ago
I just don't understand why anyone even likes Woody Allen. What a pathetic excuse of a man. SOMEONE HELP ME UNDERSTAND.
think- ago
Sorry, I have no idea either, lol. ;-)
Lysolballs ago
Guardian of the Pedophiles
think- ago
Yup!
rp5x5 ago
Woody Allen has nothing to do with pedophilia, pedophiles, child sacrificers, perverts or the Guardian
Lansing-Michigan ago
Hate the Guardian censored me a long time ago...that article needs a comment.
ASolo ago
Sociopaths, Psychopaths and Death Eaters
Posted on November 23, 2014 by Heather Marsh
ASolo ago
ASolo ago
Free will and seductive coercion
Posted on April 22, 2014 by Heather Marsh
ASolo ago
This is a powerful example of the kind of money and influence that is being used to slowly use LANGUAGE to distort and twist the truth to make it APPEAR as though the crime is much less harmful than it really is, minimization and it desensitizes the reader. Now, most of you are saying, no way, I can see through that and I know my morals",well, yes, great and good but, at the rate in which they REPEAT this language, like a madonna song from the 80's, it's going to stick with you and wear you down. Just take a consensus among men YOU think are moral and listen to what they usually have to say about statutory rape. This ain't no little house on the prairie society and you'd be surprised what most men really think.
My point is whenever you see someone trying to minimize with this kind of language they are trying to indoctrinate you into accepting pedophiia as normal.
BOYCOTT INCORRECT LANGUAGE
Lansing-Michigan ago
Important point. Kudos.
think- ago
Yes. Very important text nowadays when pedos try to push the 'child-lovers' narrative even more. Twitter also comes to mind, which lets pedos talk about their attraction to children.
shewhomustbeobeyed ago
theguardian - https://archive.is/oDkMg - https://archive.is/RUC1u - https://archive.is/rVRnz - https://archive.is/g3hos - https://archive.is/RDlUk - https://archive.is/3LYf5
think- ago
Thank you!! :-)
shewhomustbeobeyed ago
You is welcome.
carmencita ago
Across the Pond it may be legal yes, but here it is not. More screwed up thinking. They need to shut up and realize that people came over here to get away from their rule. Also, MSM is sticking up for their left sided thinking and readers. NOPE. This is clearly illegal and according to NY Law, Mr. Allan Stewart Konigsberg should be arrested.
think- ago
I think this has to be seen in a wider context even - basically, she is pushing the narrative that it was 'love', so that it cannot have been a crime. Sounds familiar?
carmencita ago
Possibly she has still not realized she was groomed. Also has she become a pedo herself? This does happen to those that have been horribly abused over and over. OR she is pushing the narrative.
3141592653 ago
Most abuse survivors do not become abusers. Research also shows that most abusers were not victims.
carmencita ago
Wow. What then makes them abuse? I consider you to be very knowledgeable regarding this subject so please explain.
3141592653 ago
Thank you very much. I just know various research studies have statistically shown this to be true. I don't think anyone really has the full answer on what makes someone a pedo or child molester. I believe it's unclear whether there is something genetic going on, or brain damage or who knows what. I do know that kids who sexually abuse others are usually repeating what happened to them.
carmencita ago
The research could be skewed for a reason. Another born that way of thinking? If Children are repeating this then they are acting out in horrid anger, and are insanely angry and jealous of others that have a normal Childhood unlike them. After reading so many accounts of SRA and also those that have been abused, especially in family cults, why do they continue to repeat this over and over. Systemically carrying it on decade after decade. I truthfully believe it is the anger and rage inside, for what was done to them.
3141592653 ago
When little kids repeat it, they arent even consciously/logically processing it. They are being filled with poison, and they go act out on it.
I have considered that about the research and am still open to it, but as of yet have found this to be true.
I have known many survivors and most are not pedophiles or abusers. And i don't believe all or most abusers were abused. Still, that doesn't mean that those who go thru it don't end up perpetrating at a larger proportion than the rest of the population, yet at the same time the majoriry of survivors dont turn into pedos.
Now, the stats for those in intergenerational abusive fsmilies, cults, sra, etc, the proportions could be different, but i still believe most of these victims dont become abusers.
Its also important to think of just how many victims the average child molester has, which is tons.
I think this will be an ongoing topic that is important and that you and i have a lot in common in our views.
carmencita ago
I agree with your views as well. There is much research needed on this. I cannot even imagine what goes through a Child's mind after years of abuse, and Lord, how can they process it. After all they have not fully developed. This is what is so sad and also so perplexing. I too know some Victims and they don't abuse either. @StcharlesSeminary is from a family cult and she knows many as well and none are abusers. Something vile happens in order for someone to commit these acts. I sometimes wonder if it starts with porn. Then it slowly escalates. In the olden days and decades and centuries ago possibly pictures and reading started it and then of course it is never enough. We know that excessive porn has been talked about in leading to abuse. Yes we could go on and on. Prayers to you and to All Children +
3141592653 ago
Pornography and it's role in our society is so, so toxic
carmencita ago
I agree. Our enemies are pushing it so that it will kill our society. At this point it is getting worse not better. This world has gone done the tubes with filth and depravity since I was a Child. The way women dress and the way they let their daughters dress, it is shameful and I don't know how we can turn it all around. But the porn, that is extremely detrimental.
3141592653 ago
Spread this important message
carmencita ago
Thank You. I have been. hoping some of it resonates. Two years and still doing it.
3141592653 ago
yes, I will keep up the battle, too.
carmencita ago
Will be off here and commenoeill be few. I lost the love 💕 of my life a week ago today. Getting lots of help. +
3141592653 ago
I am so sorry carmencita
carmencita ago
Thank you. Totally unexpected. Massive heart attack. He was joking with the nurses the next thing we knew he was gone. We are all devastated.
3141592653 ago
Bless your heart Carmencita
carmencita ago
Thank you. ❤️
3141592653 ago
<3
carmencita ago
The good thing is I have my loved ones. Thank God. ♥️
3141592653 ago
yes, do not stop seeking solace in them.
carmencita ago
Things are going to go topsy-turvy for awhile. I miss being able to research on here. But I have to get my life in order.
Lansing-Michigan ago
Whether she is a pedo or not, the grooming is hard for some people to recognize, esp. in her case, she thinks it is fine and love.
3141592653 ago
Yes, kids are groomed im a way that the abuse becomes normalized
carmencita ago
Evidently the grooming has not worn off and it feels good to be loved, still. No matter who gives it the Children that are abused need love badly usually. They need it and the pedos know it. He is the most miserable of scumbags. He now has his daughters at his movie set and in a pic I believe. More grooming? I hope not. But really it never ends.
auralsects ago
This is a kike who married one daughter and was allegedly seen molesting his other.
Why on earth you would bring up this marginal and redundant case and muddy the waters I can't imagine, except that you're just an inept retarded bitch.
And that's why you were made a mod. How does it feel?
think- ago
Islam and auralsect's pedo problem by @darkknight111
auralsects ago
First of all the definition of pedophilia is prepubescent, complain to Websters you silly cunt.
Second it has never been newsworthy that filthy kike movie producers get sex from actresses one way or another, usually cuz they offer. In fact its common knowledge since 100 yrs ago
Looks like a Jew wrote this article you posted too defending a known Jew pedophile, does that surprise you?
auralsects ago
LMAO I completely destroyed that faggot in that thread, which is why he couldn't respond to a single thing. Thanks for reposting it!
It's a beautiful demonstration of how you RANK AMATEURS fail as researchers because you don't know anything about the Jewish manipulation of information.
darkknight111 ago
You destroyed nothing, except maybe in that vain empty head of yours.
Nobody around here gives a shit about what subhuman sand monkeys like you have to say. That’s why I didn’t respond, faggot. That thread got made just to push your buttons. You’re useless unless you can relate a topic to your hate boner. Your emotions are so easy to manipulate. Even the women are more stoic than you.
BTW, not our fault you said that sex with 9 year old girls is justified. That makes you a pedo.
Do whites a favor, remove your inferior genes from the gene pool, jew spawn.
auralsects ago
bahahahaha
Yea I'm the one upset here XD
Bullshit, and it clearly took you 10x as long to "research" it as it took me to refute every last bit -- because that's what I do, faggot: debunk counterjewhad narratives whereas you're cheerleading "regime change in Iran" JewAnon. What a dope.
Say weren't you going to dox me thru your super secret fag-brigade l33t haXorz group? What happened to that, which is probably a threat violating sub rules?
We all hate pedos here -- unless they're Jewish cuz muh Hitler and muh HOLOHOAX oy very you're making us look like nazis, on Voat of all places!!
You're a fucking GIRLY-MAN and obivous homosexual, that's why you hate Muslims and Nazis LOL
Podge512 ago
The Guardian has a long history of defending and promoting child rapists/child rape:
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2014/mar/02/how-paedophiles-infiltrated-the-left-harriet-harman-patricia-hewitt
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2009/nov/29/barbara-ellen-madeleine-martin-comment
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/jun/26/inside-the-mind-of-jimmy-savile
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/feb/25/harriet-harman-daily-mail
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/may/06/my-father-the-respectable-paedophile
Yuke ago
The writer of the article is clearly an advocate for 'sexual freedom' given that she was 17 and had a boyfriend of 30 and sees nothing wrong with that. Were her parents not telling her to forget about something like that? Oh no, because her parents did virtually the same, only the ages were 17 and 27 instead of 17 and 30. Most fathers would be threatening to kick the shit out of you if you showed up at their house as the boyfriend of their 17 year old girl at the age of 30.
The author gives some shoddy examples, including young women in their 20's in literature. The difference, you flaming idiot, is that she is an adult and the girl in question in the article was a child! She even speaks of exploitation and the complexities of that adolescent period, yet still comes out in support of it. Ludicrous.
A quick search on her history shows she is descended from elites with Communist background who helped Jews in WW2. Says a lot.
think- ago
Thanks, @Podge512. Yes, and they promote Marina Abramovich, and defended the creepy producer of pedo art, Balthus.