BBC Two plots Harvey Weinstein doc

Disgraced Hollywood mogul Harvey Weinstein is to be the subject of a feature length doc from UK pubcaster BBC Two.

Weinstein (WT) will look at the rise and fall of the producer, whose career is in tatters after multiple allegations of rape, sexual assault and other bizarre sexual practices.

The doc will run to 90 minutes, and comes from director Ursula Macfarlane (Charlie Hebdo: Three Days That Shook Paris), with Simon and Jonathan Chinn’s UK-based factual firm Lightbox producing.

The fall out from the Weinstein scandal is only deepening in Hollywood following accusations from more than 80 women into the conduct of Weinstein, who has been one of the most important figures in US television and films for decades.

Numerous other entertainment industry figures such as Kevin Spacey and Ed Westwick have since come under fire over their conduct, with many leaving their jobs or facing police investigations over alleged actions.

Weinstein is currently under investigation by authorities in the UK and US, but has denied allegations of harassment, assault and rape despite admitting he has caused “a lot of pain”.

Weinstein will feature interviews with sources, including actresses telling their stories, journalists covering the unfolding events, directors, producers, agents and lawyers. Many had previously been afraid to speak out against the culture of fear that exists in Hollywood.

The programme will also look how abuse and exploitation underpinned the studio system that emerged in the 1930s, and look at Weinstein’s rise to power in the 1970s.

“This film promises to be the definitive take on the Weinstein scandal,” said Tom McDonald, head of commissioning of natural history and specialist factual at the BBC.

“As well as revealing the inside story of the past few months in minute detail, it will also look to the past to tell the story of abuses of power within Hollywood since its very origins and chart the rise of Harvey Weinstein himself over many decades.

“This is a film which will ask difficult and challenging questions about complicity, the price of silence and the corrosive effects of power and I’m certain that Lightbox will bring their signature approach to this important subject.”

Simon and Jonathan Chinn, whose credits include docs such as Man on Wire, Searching for Sugar Man and LA 92, will executive produce.

McDonald commissioned it alongside BBC Two controller Patrick Holland and commissioning editor Simon Young.

UK indie distributor Drive Media Rights has picked up the international pre-sales rights, and according to Variety, a limited theatrical run is being prepped in order for the doc to qualify for awards season.