Casey Afleck
Actor Casey Affleck has been accused of sexual harassment by a producer of his quirky documentary about brother-in-law Joaquin Phoenix's attempts to become a rap star.
Amanda White claims Affleck acted inappropriately while directing I'm Still Here and she is suing him for $2 million (GBP1.3 million).
In papers filed in Los Angeles on Friday (23Jul10), White alleges she endured "uninvited and unwelcome sexual advances in the workplace" while making the movie.
She claims Affleck referred to women as 'cows' and discussed his sexual exploits in front of her. The producer also alleges Affleck, who is married to Phoenix's sister Summer, and the film's star took over her hotel room in Costa Rica one night to entertain two women; and the director attempted to get her to spend the night with him in his hotel room in San Francisco, California.
In the lawsuit, White claims Affleck became "hostile and aggressive" when she turned him down and "violently grabbed her arm in an effort to intimidate her into staying."
The producer has a list of damages, which includes sexual harassment, breach of oral contract and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
She also claims Affleck owes her money for her services as producer on I'm Still Here.
Affleck's attorney tells UsMagazine.com, "Ms. White was terminated from the production over a year ago. She and her lawyers believe that this maliciously and erroneously filed complaint will cause the producers to succumb to her outrageous and baseless demands. She is mistaken. The complaint will be vigorously defended and cross-claims will be filed against her."
The suit comes a week after bosses at Magnolia Pictures claimed the distribution rights to the documentary and announced plans to release the film in September (10).
I'm Still Here chronicles a year in Phoenix's life after he publicly gave up acting and tried to establish himself as a rap star.
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