It's fair to say that 2017 has been a year of intense scandal and controversy in Hollywood - so much so that many political and social justice activists have called for a complete revolution of the culture and values of the entertainment industry. After the exposure of Harvey Weinstein's habitual sexual abuse of actresses led to serious aspersions being cast over the sexist culture in Tinsel Town, the #metoo movement was formed to try and end misogyny and sexual harrassment in the workplace.

Detractors of the movement have accused #metoo of being nothing more than a glorified witch hunt: a method by which an increasingly puritan liberal media can punish sexual unorthodoxy and promiscuity. However, proponents claim that they are actually protecting the vulnerable and seeking justice for victims, by naming and shaming the accused and drawing attention to allegations of impropriety that would otherwise remain hidden from the public's eye. No matter where you stand on the issue, it's impossible to deny that things are changing, albeit slowly.

This week the movement has managed to attain something which, for its supporters, must feel like a minor victory.  It's been announced that Jennifer Lawrence and Jodie Foster will present the award for Best Actress at this year's Oscars. They are replacing actor Casey Affleck, (brother of Ben Affleck) who himself stepped down from the position after intense pressure from the #metoo movement over sexual harassment allegations. The decision to replace Affleck was made in January, with the reasoning that he had been dropped to avoid his personal life from becoming a distraction at the awards ceremony.

In 2010 the Manchester By The Sea actor was sued by two former co-workers; Amanda White and Magdalena Gorka, who claimed that he had sexually harassed them on the set of the Joaquin Phoenix mockumentary I’m Still Here. White pursued a claim of $2 million against the actor, alleging that Affleck had exposed himself to her and made numerous unwanted sexual advances. Cinematographer Gorka also sued Affleck for $2.25 million and claimed that he had climbed into bed with her while drunk. The lawsuits were later mediated and settled out of court.

Affleck has since strongly denied the allegations against him, and in an interview with the New York Times regarding the suit, he  simply stated: "It was settled to the satisfaction of all. I was hurt and upset — I am sure all were — but I am over it. It was an unfortunate situation — mostly for the innocent bystanders of the families of those involved."

The 90th Academy Awards ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California at 5.00pm  on March 4, 2018, and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Movies nominated for Best Picture include Darkest Hour, Get Out, Three Billboards Outside Epping Missouri, Dunkirk, The Phantom Thread, and The Shape of the Water. It seems to be a positive thing that a public awareness of sexual harrassment is leading to changes in the industry, but in the other hand many would argue that it's already too little, too late.

It's fair to say that 2017 has been a year of intense scandal and controversy in Hollywood - so much so that many political and social justice activists have called for a complete revolution of the culture and values of the entertainment industry. After the exposure of Harvey Weinstein's habitual sexual abuse of actresses led to serious aspersions being cast over the sexist culture in Tinsel Town, the #metoo movement was formed to try and end misogyny and sexual harrassment in the workplace.

Detractors of the movement have accused #metoo of being nothing more than a glorified witch hunt: a method by which an increasingly puritan liberal media can punish sexual unorthodoxy and promiscuity. However, proponents claim that they are actually protecting the vulnerable and seeking justice for victims, by naming and shaming the accused and drawing attention to allegations of impropriety that would otherwise remain hidden from the public's eye. No matter where you stand on the issue, it's impossible to deny that things are changing, albeit slowly.

This week the movement has managed to attain something which, for its supporters, must feel like a minor victory.  It's been announced that Jennifer Lawrence and Jodie Foster will present the award for Best Actress at this year's Oscars. They are replacing actor Casey Affleck, (brother of Ben Affleck) who himself stepped down from the position after intense pressure from the #metoo movement over sexual harassment allegations. The decision to replace Affleck was made in January, with the reasoning that he had been dropped to avoid his personal life from becoming a distraction at the awards ceremony.

In 2010 the Manchester By The Sea actor was sued by two former co-workers; Amanda White and Magdalena Gorka, who claimed that he had sexually harassed them on the set of the Joaquin Phoenix mockumentary I’m Still Here. White pursued a claim of $2 million against the actor, alleging that Affleck had exposed himself to her and made numerous unwanted sexual advances. Cinematographer Gorka also sued Affleck for $2.25 million and claimed that he had climbed into bed with her while drunk. The lawsuits were later mediated and settled out of court.

Affleck has since strongly denied the allegations against him, and in an interview with the New York Times regarding the suit, he  simply stated: "It was settled to the satisfaction of all. I was hurt and upset — I am sure all were — but I am over it. It was an unfortunate situation — mostly for the innocent bystanders of the families of those involved."

The 90th Academy Awards ceremony will take place at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California at 5.00pm  on March 4, 2018, and will be hosted by Jimmy Kimmel. Movies nominated for Best Picture include Darkest Hour, Get Out, Three Billboards Outside Epping Missouri, Dunkirk, The Phantom Thread, and The Shape of the Water. It seems to be a positive thing that a public awareness of sexual harrassment is leading to changes in the industry, but in the other hand many would argue that it's already too little, too late.