The woman who accused Armie Hammer of rape has accused documentary filmmakers of “exploiting (her) trauma.”
A woman identified only as Effie, who brought charges against the 36-year-old actor in March 2021, criticised Elli Hakami and Julian Hobbs for their “disgusting” treatment of her.
She said that the three-part HBO and discovery+ series “House of Hammer” was “very inappropriate” since it does more damage than good to the alleged victims of the “Call Me By Your Name” actor.
According to the Los Angeles Times, a month after giving a press conference to discuss what allegedly occurred to her, the 26-year-old woman was invited to be interviewed, but she rejected.
Her response stated in part: “It is extremely inappropriate of you to exploit such a tragic, vulnerable time in many people’s lives, with no regard whatsoever for our healing process and privacy.”
And she added in a statement to the outlet: “The way they’ve been exploiting my trauma is disgusting.
“When I keep screaming ‘no’ and they keep going, saying they don’t need my permission, they remind me of Armie.”
Despite her comments, the directors insisted they had an “obligation” to shine a light on the allegations made against the disgraced star, including details of his alleged rape and cannibalism fantasies.
Hobbs said: “(Effie)’s been vocal that she thinks that making any form of media out of these events is somewhat problematic. As film-makers, we don’t take that view. We feel we actually have an obligation to tell the stories.
“If you were to stop making films because someone said they didn’t want a film being made, you would never make a film. The reality is, not everyone gets on board films.
“That being said, I think what you have to be is ethically on the right side of how the affairs are conducted. You have to be open and transparent about what’s going on with the film, and you have to be inclusive.”
Because Effie is the only woman with an active police investigation against the “Man From U.N.C.L.E.” star, he said it was “an editorial decision” to “not get involved” with her story in great detail, though screen shots of her message exchanges with Hammer, which she had shared on Instagram, and clips from her press conference were deemed key to telling the story because she inspired others to speak out.
He said: “When she posted on a public forum… her allegations against Armie Hammer enter into the public discourse, right?
“So that’s been covered by numerous outlets. And that (press conference clip) has been covered by numerous outlets. So now you don’t have to get permission.
“However, I think what’s critically important is that just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should do something.
“Even though Effie wasn’t there in person being interviewed, she’s clearly posited in the film as the match that lit the fire… In connecting the timeline of events, she fits more in this timeline of the unfolding scandal — her coming forward was a major moment.”