MOVIE NEWS – True Detective and No Time to Die director Cary Fukunaga is in trouble after reports that he molested young women on set. It’s ironic that it is Fukunaga who is being accused of this – the very same Fukunaga who describes herself as a feminist and who has made similar accusations against the James Bond character Sean Connery.

Acclaimed film director Cary Fukunaga is in hot water following disturbing allegations of inappropriate workplace behaviour. Fukunaga is best known as the director of HBO’s crime series True Detective and Daniel Craig’s last Bond film, No Time to Die, and is currently involved in Apple’s war drama miniseries Masters of the Air. Anonymous sources working on the series told Rolling Stone about Fukunaga’s inappropriate behaviour on set.

The case stems from an incident in which the 44-year-old director began taking photos of two background actresses dressed as 1940s prostitutes while most of the crew was packing up. One of the actresses had recently turned 18, and according to sources, Fukunaga’s interaction raised several red flags as he encouraged them to strike provocative poses. When confronted by several uncomfortable onlookers, Fukunaga’s excuse was that he did it for the sake of continuity.

“It was way past the line. There’s no sort of argument … that it is OK in any way,” a source said. “It’s an absolute, clear-cut abuse of power.”

But it gets much worse from here. Rolling Stone contacted nearly a dozen people who have worked with Fukunaga. They all shared similar stories: the director often uses his influence in the industry to pursue young women, resorting to harassment or threatening their careers if they reject his advances. And these accusations date back to 2013 when Fukunaga fired actress Raeden Greer from True Detective for refusing to participate in a topless scene, even though her contract did not include a nudity clause.

Fukunaga’s lawyer, Michael Plonsker, issued a statement denying the allegations.

“There is nothing salacious about pursuing friendships or consensual romantic relationships with women. Nevertheless, because that would not fit your narrative, you conclude he has done something wrong. No one ever — not once — voiced such sentiments to [Fukunaga]. He creates a work environment that is creative, collaborative and welcoming to all.”

According to actress Rachelle Vinberg, Cary Fukunaga uses methods of “grooming” and “gaslighting

Earlier this month, “skateboarding” actress Rachelle Vinberg (HBO’s Betty) claimed she was diagnosed with PTSD due to Fukunaga’s constant manipulation during their brief relationship. Fukunaga met Vinberg the day after she turned 18, and their friendship eventually turned to love.

„I was afraid of him for years,” Vinberg shared on Instagram. “The guy is a groomer and has been doing this shit for years. Women, beware.”

Vinberg has received support from several other women who knew Fukunaga or worked with him in the past. Twin sisters Cailin and Hannah Loesch, who starred in his TV series Maniac, also released a statement claiming that he pressured them to engage in a threesome and suggested that incest was OK “if it suited all parties”. Fukunaga denied the allegations through his representatives. Two other Maniac sources claim that Fukunaga constantly surrounded himself with young women. “We used to call it his fan club. I’d be like, ‘Why the hell are all these young girls always hanging around like puppy dogs?’”

Vinberg received support from several other women who knew Fukunaga or had worked with her in the past. The twin sisters, Cailin and Hannah Loesch, who starred in his TV series Maniac, also released a statement claiming that he pressured them to engage in a threesome and suggested that incest was OK “if it suited all parties”. Fukunaga denied the allegations through his representatives. Two other Maniac sources claim that Fukunaga constantly surrounded himself with young women. “We called it his fan club. I said, “Why the hell are these young girls always hanging around him like puppies?”

Vinberg and the Loesch sisters’ posts were also liked and shared by Fukunaga’s former girlfriends Kristine Froseth (The Society) and Margaret Qualley (Maid). Fukunaga’s frequent collaborator Nick Cuse echoed the statements of Vinberg and the Loesch twins, calling the True Detective director “the worst human being” they have ever met. It seems Fukunaga has a history of unprofessional behaviour and does not spare men from her manipulative tactics.

Fukunaga has also been accused of hiding behind a mask of feminism to maintain her image. During the promotion of No Time to Die, she called Sean Connery’s James Bond a “rapist” for forcibly kissing a nurse in 1965’s Fireball. (Whether or not this is true is now for all to see, as the film is on HBO Max.) No Time to Die itself was described before its release as a feminist take on Bond. Fukunaga also protested against the recent decision in Roe v. Wade, which ended up being the last straw for Vinberg before he came forward with his horrific experience.

Source : Rolling Stone