Rob Cohen denies assaulting Asia Argento

25 January 2021

Rob Cohen has denied assaulting Asia Argento.

Rob Cohen

The 71-year-old filmmaker has been accused of "abusing" the 45-year-old actress, who he directed in the 2002 movie 'xXx', and he has insisted they had an "excellent working relationship".

In a statement to Deadline, a spokesperson for the director said: "Mr. Cohen categorically denies Asia Argento’s accusation of assault against him as absolutely false.

"When they worked together, they had an excellent working relationship and Mr. Cohen considered her a friend, so this claim dating back to 2002 is bewildering, especially given what has been reported about her in recent years."

It comes after Asia alleged Rob drugged her with GHB.

Speaking to newspaper Il Corriere della Sera about the allegations, she said: "It’s the first time I’m talking about Cohen. He abused me, making me drink GHB, he had a bottle of it. I discovered later, speaking with a friend who opened my eyes about that substance.

"At the time, I really didn't know what it was. I woke up in the morning naked in his bed."

Asia is said to have written about the allegations in her upcoming autobiography, 'Anatomy of a Wild Heart'.

In October 2017, she accused Harvey Weinstein of sexual assault and rape, but back in 2019 admitted she would not go public with her allegations again if she could go back in time.

She said: "When people ask me if I would accuse Harvey Weinstein again, I say yes I would, because that helped so many women.

"But the truth is that no, I wouldn't do it again. Answering that question Ronan Farrow asked me triggered so many negative events in my life. So no, I don't think I would do it again today.

"I was trying to normalise the situation, this is why I kept hanging out with Harvey Weinstein after what he did to me and why I accused him after 20 years.

"I always considered myself a strong woman, I couldn't accept that he did that to me, so I tried to normalise him. When I found out he did the same thing to so many other women I felt really bad, I thought I was the only one."