The filmmaker Carlos Vermouth breaks his silence. In a joint statement signed with his lawyer Guadalupe Sanchezafter seven months of those statements six women, who anonymously accused him through several reports in The Country of being an alleged sexual aggressorannounces legal measures for libel and slander.
His defense, led by the Novalex law firm, has filed a request for preliminary proceedings, a prior procedure for the lawsuit for defamation and slander against the newspaper’s director, Pepa Buenoand the journalists Gregorio Belinchon, Ana Marcos y Elena Reina. Legal action will be taken against any other person or entity that reproduces the same information in the future.
In the aforementioned statement, received by this medium and signed by Vermut himself and his lawyer Guadalupe Sánchez, this Tuesday, the lawyer points out that he has received instructions from his client “to exercise whatever legal actions may assist him in accordance with the Law against those who have uttered and/or published such serious defamation and slander.” The aforementioned editors and director of The Country, as well as third parties that reproduce them.
Last February, Economist & Jurist It echoed various statements against Vermut at the Goya Awards, from various personalities from the world of cinema incriminating Vermut, as well as the analysis of various lawyers on this issue. All of them demanded that those affected file a lawsuit against the filmmaker so that justice could act, something that has not happened to date.
Nor has that initiative discussed at the same Goya Gala been launched. Ernesto ArtasunMinister of Culture, who announced that night in February the creation of an office for the prevention and support of victims of gender-based violence. That day, the statements of Penelope Cruz They accused the judicial system of abandoning women victims of gender violence, something highly reprehensible by these jurists.
At the last Goya Awards ceremony, the fight against sexual assault and Vermut were discussed. (Image: Academia de Cine)
An unfounded accusation
In the aforementioned statement, Vermut denies, as it did from the very beginning when this whole controversy arose, that it forced the six women to have non-consensual sexual relations.
“First and foremost, I want to make it clear that every sexual relationship and practice I have ever engaged in throughout my life has always been consensual. I have never forced anyone to do anything against their will or used my job position in a coercive manner.. I have always tried, in each of my sexual and sentimental relationships, to build an atmosphere of complicity and trust. For this reason, I sincerely regret if some people did not find in me the person with whom they could fully share their feelings.
At the same time, he reiterates his ability to engage in dialogue to clarify this or any similar situation in which Vermut is involved: “I want to make it clear that I have always been and will continue to be available to listen and engage in dialogue with anyone who wishes to resolve any problem in a close and personal manner.”
Vermut acknowledges that his professional and financial situation is not ideal and that he has been significantly affected by these accusations.
“I am currently still going through a process of emotional and financial recovery. I needed time to process the situation and find a way to explain it to myself before I could explain it to others.I believe that this time has been essential to address the matter with the necessary calm and serenity, allowing me to develop a solid legal and media response to the very serious accusations published by The Country”.
In the text of the aforementioned note he makes an important discovery in this matter, which is the one on which he will base his next legal actions and that is that there is no open complaint against him: “This time has also served to show that, Despite the seriousness of the accusations published by that newspaper, to date no complaint has been filed nor has any investigation been initiated against me.”.
The filmmaker has confirmed his denial of these accusations and expressed his great disappointment at the way in which journalists from ‘El País’ reported the incident, which possibly distorted his statements. (Image: Montse Castillo/ SSIFF)
He believes that his statements were distorted.
Regarding his statements to The CountryCarlos Vermut believes that the journalist from that media who contacted him was not clear in his questions and that These statements were taken out of context.
“Regarding my statements to the media, I would like to clarify that when journalists contacted me, the information they provided me was anonymous. Despite this, they published my responses implying that I was aware of all the details and that I was responding to full testimonies, which is completely false.”
“During our conversations, which lasted for more than half an hour and to which I agreed in good faith, I flatly denied the accusations against mealways maintaining a respectful attitude and without showing the arrogance with which I was later portrayed. Therefore, I cannot hide my deep disappointment at the attitude of Gregorio Belinchón, one of the journalists responsible for the article. I considered him a trustworthy person.someone with whom I believed I could qualify my words without fear of them being manipulated and taken out of context to offer the reader a distorted image of me,” says the filmmaker.
“However, after reading the first article, I realized that I was wrong. I understand and share the need to question and eradicate unacceptable behavior, not only in the film industry, but in all areas of the public and private sphere.”
The filmmaker ends his statement with the disappointment of having felt deceived by the media and does not rule out abandoning his professional career if the doors are closed. But for this reason he announces that he will take up a legal battle against those who have defamed him.
“It is clear that dynamics have evolved, and it is encouraging that they continue to transform so that we can relate in a healthier way. However, I believe that this change should not be driven by fear of cancellation or seeing careers destroyed, but rather I understand that it must arise from an honest process of reflection and empathy.”
The filmmaker’s statement ends by saying: “There are aspects of my personal life that I value much more than cinema and that, now more than ever, I want to protect and take care of. I accept the possibility of having to abandon my career if all doors close, but if that happens, I want to do so with the peace of mind of having said goodbye with dignity. Thank you very much for your time.”
