There are few people in Hollywood who’ve profited more from their association with Harvey Weinstein than Kevin Smith. The Clerks director’s career might not even exist if Weinstein’s Miramax hadn’t picked up his 1994 debut for championing and distribution. That relationship has, of course, now been clouded by the allegations that have come out against Weinstein in the last few weeks, with dozens of women alleging that he sexually harassed or assaulted them.
Over the weekend, Smith expressed his feelings of shock and disgust over his longtime friendship and association with Weinstein, saying on his Hollywood Babble-On podcast, “I just wanted to make some fucking movies, that’s it… And no fucking movie is worth all this. Like, my entire career, fuck it, take it. It’s wrapped up in something really fucking horrible.” Smith made it clear that he had no knowledge of Weinstein’s behavior around women, saying, “I know it’s not my fault, but I didn’t fucking help. Because I sat out there talking about this man like he was a hero, like he was my friend. I didn’t know the man that they keep talking about in the press. Clearly he exists, but that man never showed himself to me.”
Smith also said he intends to put his money where his mouth his; according to Vulture, he’s pledged to donate all future residuals from all of his Miramax films—including Chasing Amy, Jay And Silent Bob Strike Back, Jersey Girl, Zack And Miri Make A Porno, and both Clerks movies—to Women In Films, a nonprofit organization that supports female filmmakers. He also added that, if The Weinstein Company ends up folding, rendering those residuals worthless, he’ll pay $2,000 a month to the group for the rest of his life.