75th Golden Globe Awards: why they wear black?

Interview with Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist 

The female and male stars wore black gowns and suits on the usually vibrant Globes red carpet, in support of the Time's Up Campaign. [photo: from dfic.cn]

This year’s Golden Globes may be more political than ever, thanks to everything that’s happening outside the awards race. The female and male stars wore black gowns and suits on the usually vibrant Globes red carpet, in support of the Time’s Up Campaign, to shine a bright light on abuse and harassment. 

The Time’s Up campaign is designed to support all women and men silenced by abuse, harassment, and discrimination not only in Hollywood but across the world. 

The campaign started after the New York Times broke the story about allegations against the once-powerful movie mogul, Harvey Weinstein. 

Why it took so long for the scandals to surface? How will this impact the film industry? 

For answers to such questions, we speak to Ms. Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist.

The female and male stars wore black gowns and suits on the usually vibrant Globes red carpet, in support of the Time's Up Campaign. [photo: from dfic.cn]

Question list:

1. Golden Globe Awards were all about girl power. All wore black in support of the Time's Up movement, to protest sexual harassment. How do you look at the phenomenon?

2. Why did it take so long for all those people to come forward and speak out about the abuse that they suffer, including the A-list actresses, such as Gwyneth Paltrow? Why this issue is particularly plaguing the showbiz industry?

3. Do you think this movement will change Hollywood culture? Will female film makers become less vulnerable in front of after this movement?

4. The year had been a difficult year for film industry. How much will this movement damage/impact Hollywood? So far Weinstein's film kingdom seems to be affected. House of Cards will stop producing new seasons, whether it has or has not anything to do with Kevin Spacey.

Guest on today's show: Geng Ling, CEO of China Film Assist. [Photo: courtesy of Geng Ling]

5. There are some different voices though on this issue. Recently, French actress Catherine Deneuve along with some other female French writers, performers, and academics wrote an open letter deploring the wave of what they call "denunciations" that has followed claims that the Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein raped and sexually assaulted women over decades. She said men should be "free to hit on" women and the "witch hunt" threatens sexual freedom. What's your take on this?

6. There are also some film stars in China talking about "the hidden rules" in the film sector. What can be done to change the culture here?

[The audio clip is from Studio+, produced by CRI]