It’s not an exaggeration to say that Vincent Gallo has been a polarizing figure in film for decades now, but the accusations against him regarding the auditions for “The Policeman” are still shocking. Perhaps the director’s biggest controversy besides this latest one was over his 2003 film “The Brown Bunny,” which stars Gallo and Chloë Sevigny. Once called “the worst movie in the history of the Cannes Film Festival” by legendary critic Roger Ebert (though he later redacted that review), the film, which tells the story of a motorcyclist reminiscing about the woman he loved, is nothing if not explicit — which is what makes it so controversial.
Sexually explicit films aren’t exactly novel, but “The Brown Bunny” features a scene where Sevigny and Gallo engage in an unsimulated sexual act. Sevigny has, over the years, defended the scene and overall film, calling it artistic, but in an age where actors are turning to intimacy coordinators more and more in order to feel safe, this is certainly a relic of troubling times past. Gallo’s currently alleged behavior on “The Policeman” used to be something that was kept behind closed doors; now that performers feel comfortable speaking out, it’s likely he’ll be held accountable for making actresses feel harassed and uncomfortable.
If you or anyone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, help is available. Visit the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network website or contact RAINN’s National Helpline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673).
