Photo: Courtesy Apple
Shortly after Apple canceled the premiere ofThe Banker,sexual abuse allegations surfaced surrounding the real-life subject’s son, Bernard Garrett, Jr., who was also credited as a co-producer of the film.
The film was set to premiere at the American Film Institute’s annual festival on Thursday, but it was pulled on Wednesday, with Apple citing “concerns” about the film.
They did not elaborate on what the “concerns” were.
The Banker:Samuel L. Jackson and Anthony Mackie.Courtesy Apple
However, earlier this month, on Nov. 9, Garrett Jr.’s half-sister, Cynthia Garrett, allegedly wrotea public commentonIndieWire’sreport of a panel held to promote the movie, claiming that the film misrepresented her family’s story. She also alleged that Garrett, Jr. had molested her and her younger sister for years.
On Wednesday, Cynthia and her younger sister, Sheila Garrett, came forward toThe Hollywood Reporter,claiming that the abuse began in the 1970s. Both women had kept it a secret from their family and from one another until they finally shared their accusations with each other nearly a decade later.
The sisters said that when they realized they both had been abused, they also confided in their mother, Linda Garrett, Garrett Sr.’s second wife. Garrett, Jr. is the son of his father’s first wife, Eunice.
Both women allege that their father was unaware of the abuse at the time, but Sheila says she told him a few years later.
“He kind of, basically, swept it under the rug,” she toldTHR. “And when I got married, I told my father I did not want Bernard, Jr. there, so my father didn’t come to my wedding.”
Cynthia also told the outlet that producers from the movie have contacted her in the last few days, asking to show her the film to discuss her concerns.
An attorney for Romulus Entertainment, a producer of the film, toldTHRthat Garrett, Jr. had stepped down from his role as a co-producer and said the film will be changed to “based on true events.”
According toTHR,the AFI festival has replaced the film withMarriage Story,starringScarlett Johansson,Adam DriverandLaura Dern.
source: people.com
