Oprah Winfrey exits Russell Simmons #MeToo documentary, and the filmmakers respond

By Amy Kaufman, Staff Writer
Jan. 10, 2020
5:48 PM

Oprah Winfrey is disassociating herself with a new documentary about Russell Simmons and the #MeToo movement.

In December, Winfrey announced that she would serve as executive producer on a still-untitled film from Oscar-nominated directors Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick that centers on some of the 20 women who have publicly accused Simmons of sexual harassment and assault. The movie was to stream on Apple TV+ following its Jan. 25 premiere at the Sundance Film Festival.

But on Friday, Winfrey released a statement saying that she was removing herself as an EP of the film, meaning it will also not play on Apple TV+, where she has a deal set up through her Harpo Productions.

“First and foremost, I want it to be known that I unequivocally believe and support the women. Their stories deserve to be told and heard,” said Winfrey. “In my opinion, there is more work to be done on the film to illuminate the full scope of what the victims endured and it has become clear that the filmmakers and I are not aligned in that creative vision. Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering are talented filmmakers. I have great respect for their mission but given the filmmakers’ desire to premiere the film at the Sundance Film Festival before I believe it is complete, I feel it’s best to step aside.”

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https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/movies/story/2020-01-10/oprah-winfrey-apple-russell-simmons-metoo-documentary-sundance