Léa Seydoux slams Hollywood’s sexual misconduct ‘hypocrisy’, suggesting ‘people take advantage and become heroes’

French actor previously accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault in 2017

Léa Seydoux has condemned the “hypocrisy” of the film industry in regards to sexual misconduct, suggesting that people took advantage of the movement “to become heroes”.

Seydoux, who will this year reprise her role as Bond girl Madeleine Swann in No Time to Die, said that many knew about misconduct in Hollywood but refused to publicly speak about it until they could personally benefit from it.

“There is a lot of hypocrisy,” she told Harper’s Bazaar. “Because people knew! And they take advantage now to say ‘Yes, I’ve been a victim’, and they become heroes. A hero, for me, would forgive. We need forgiveness, right?”

“I think men are scared,” she added. “I think it’s great that women are speaking out … But I would like this [conversation] to be less openly violent. And we should be able to forgive.”

Seydoux was one of a number of women to accuse convicted rapist and former movie mogul Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault in 2017.

She recalled meeting Weinstein at a fashion event in 2012, before being invited to talk with him about potential projects at his hotel.

“We were talking on the sofa when he suddenly jumped on me and tried to kiss me,” she told The Guardian. “I had to defend myself. He’s big and fat, so I had to be forceful to resist him.”

She added: “Everyone knew what Harvey was up to and no one did anything. It’s unbelievable that he’s been able to act like this for decades and still keep his career.”

Seydoux also revealed this week that she had seen No Time to Die, which had its release delayed because of the coronavirus pandemic.

“There’s a lot of emotion in this Bond,” she said. “It’s very moving. I bet you’re going to cry. When I watched it, I cried, which is weird because I am in it.”

While it was originally meant to be in cinemas this month, No Time to Die will now be released on 12 November.