By now you’ve heard the news that Oscar-winning director and screenwriter — as well as former celebrity Scientologist — Paul Haggis, 69, was arrested yesterday in the southern Italian town of Ostuni on sexual assault charges. We have reached out to numerous people who know Haggis since news of the arrest broke yesterday afternoon, but we haven’t learned anything more than what is being reported elsewhere. Haggis was in Italy to teach master classes at Allora Fest, a film festival scheduled to take place in that city from June 21 to 26. Italian police are reporting that a non-Italian woman was rescued after she said she had been sexually assaulted over two days in a hotel room by Haggis, who then tried to take her to an airport in Brindisi but then abandoned her there at dawn Sunday when she resisted. Airport workers helped the woman and called police. The Daily Beast is reporting, based on a police source, that the woman was a sex worker.
My first thought when I heard about this yesterday was that scientology was behind it. I’m not giving Haggis a free pass, but I’m but pointing fingers at him either, he’s earned enough of my respect to wait to see how this plays out.
I also believe Miscavige is behind Paul Haggis' current situation. Having experienced personal intimidation, threats, harassment, and false accusations in and out of court, in my life and work from Miscavige for years, Paul's situation simply does not sit on the level. I sincerely hope that his legal team will handle this quickly and get him back to the States.
And so we walk the perilous line of accuser vs. accused in the era of Me Too. On one of my shoulders, an angel poofs into existence and rightfully says "believe women." On the other shoulder, a tiny devil appears and screams "It's Scientology, stupid!" Or are they both right? I hate a murky ethical choice.
I heard about it yesterday on npr as I was driving home for about 6hrs. I questioned it greatly! I really hope this shakes out. Really crappy news to hear.
My first thought when I heard about this yesterday was that scientology was behind it. I’m not giving Haggis a free pass, but I’m but pointing fingers at him either, he’s earned enough of my respect to wait to see how this plays out.
I wouldn't put anything past Miscavige and his minions but the jury's still out on this particular incident.
I also believe Miscavige is behind Paul Haggis' current situation. Having experienced personal intimidation, threats, harassment, and false accusations in and out of court, in my life and work from Miscavige for years, Paul's situation simply does not sit on the level. I sincerely hope that his legal team will handle this quickly and get him back to the States.
And so we walk the perilous line of accuser vs. accused in the era of Me Too. On one of my shoulders, an angel poofs into existence and rightfully says "believe women." On the other shoulder, a tiny devil appears and screams "It's Scientology, stupid!" Or are they both right? I hate a murky ethical choice.
"Crash" was awful and less entertaining than "Walker, Texas Ranger". At least in "Walker, Texas Ranger" the lame script turned it in to a fair comedy.
I heard about it yesterday on npr as I was driving home for about 6hrs. I questioned it greatly! I really hope this shakes out. Really crappy news to hear.
"fourth day?" No context for that.