Icelandic music icon Björk has accused a Danish film director of sexually harassing her, after being “inspired by the women everywhere who are speaking up online”.
In a statement shared on social media, Björk says her harassment and “humiliation” was “enabled and encouraged” by the team behind the director, who isn’t named or identified in the statement.
“Because I come from a country that is one of the world’s place[s] closest to equality between the sexes, and at the time I came from position of strength in the music world with hard-earned independence, it was extremely clear to me when I walked into the actress’ profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser, sexually harassed being was the norm, and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it,” Björk says.
“When I turned the director down repeatedly he sulked and punished me and created for his team an impressive net of illusion where I was framed as the difficult one.
“Because of my strength, my great team and because I had nothing to loose having no ambitions in the acting world, I walked away from it and recovered in a year’s time. I am worried though that other actresses working with the same man did not.
“The director was fully aware of this game and I am sure of that the film he made after was based on his experiences with me. Because I was the first one that stood up to him and didn’t let him get away with it.”
In closing, Björk says, “Let’s hope this statement supports the actresses and actors all over. Let’s stop this. There is a wave of change in the world.” Read her full statement, below.
Björk has featured in a number of films throughout her career, including the 2000 musical drama Dancer in the Dark, which was directed by Danish director Lars von Trier.
Late last year, she also spoke out about media sexism in a powerful open letter to fans.
Björk is preparing to release her next album, Utopia, in November. Watch the video for her latest single ‘The Gate’, below.
If you need assistance, 1800 RESPECT – the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service — can be reached on 1800 737 732, while Lifeline can be reached on 13 11 14.
Björk Statement (Via Facebook)
i am inspired by the women everywhere who are speaking up online to tell about my experience with a danish director . because i come from a country that is one of the worlds place closest to equality between the sexes and at the time i came from position of strength in the music world with hard earned independence , it was extremely clear to me when i walked into the actresses profession that my humiliation and role as a lesser sexually harassed being was the norm and set in stone with the director and a staff of dozens who enabled it and encouraged it . i became aware of that it is a universal thing that a director can touch and harass his actresses at will and the institution of film allows it . when i turned the director down repeatedly he sulked and punished me and created for his team an impressive net of illusion where i was framed as the difficult one . because of my strength , my great team and because i had nothing to loose having no ambitions in the acting world , i walked away from it and recovered in a years time . i am worried though that other actresses working with the same man did not . the director was fully aware of this game and i am sure of that the film he made after was based on his experiences with me . because i was the first one that stood up to him and didn’t let him get away with it
and in my opinion he had a more fair and meaningful relationship with his actresses after my confrontation so there is hope
let’s hope this statement supports the actresses and actors all over
let’s stop this
there is a wave of change in the world
kindness
björk
