Several Women Accuse Vincent Gallo Of 'Hellish' Audition Experience

The entertainment industry is currently grappling with serious allegations of misconduct involving renowned actor Vincent Gallo during the casting process of the movie The Policeman. Sag-Aftra, the actors' union, has initiated an investigation following reports from at least three women who claimed Gallo made inappropriate remarks, creating an unsettling atmosphere during auditions for the film in November 2023.

In these distressing complaints filed with Sag-Aftra, it is alleged that Gallo not only made sexually explicit comments but also engaged in behaviour that raised concerns about the well-being of the actors involved.

The Allegations

One of the complainants revealed that Gallo went as far as telling an actor, identified as "Emily" in the Rolling Stone article, that she must "truly believe you will die if you don’t do as I say." Such explicit demands, coupled with inappropriate comments, have cast a shadow over the casting process and raised questions about the ethical standards on the set.

During callbacks for roles as victims in the film, two of the complainants were subjected to Gallo's alleged inappropriate behaviour. The actor, identified as "Emily," recounted an unnerving experience where Gallo asserted his complete control, emphasizing that she had "no control" during the filming process, despite the movie's sensitive content.

Another actor, referred to as "Jane" in the complaints, disclosed that Gallo discussed "torture porn fantasies" and advocated for a fully improvised filming environment. Furthermore, Gallo allegedly suggested that films involving explicit sexual acts, including simulated rape scenes and bondage, could be improvised and filmed without the guidance of an intimacy coordinator or prior choreography.

Industry Response & Silence from Key Figures

The allegations have prompted an ongoing investigation by Sag-Aftra, with a representative stating that they are closely monitoring and investigating the situation. While the film's production team engaged with the complaints, shooting has concluded, leaving the industry anxious about the potential fallout from these serious allegations.

Notably, representatives for Vincent Gallo, James Franco, and Cast Iron Studios have remained silent in response to requests for comments. 

Cast Iron Studios, responsible for the casting of "The Policeman," acknowledged the seriousness of the allegations in a statement to Rolling Stone. They expressed gratitude to the actresses for coming forward and issued a public apology for the reported experiences

A spokesperson for Jordan Gertner and Pacific Media Productions, the filmmaker and production company behind "The Policeman," acknowledged the severity of the allegations. They emphasized that the accusations were taken "very seriously" and confirmed the hiring of a Sag-Aftra intimacy coordinator for the production. Despite the controversies, the spokesperson expressed pride in the movie and the collaborative efforts of the cast and crew.