Monday, July 03, 2006

Mia and Woody

It was nearly 15 years ago that things turned ugly between my favorite director and his leading lady. I remember reading the wires in the newsroom at The Orange County Register when Mia Farrow's mother, Maureen O'Sullivan, released a cryptic statement saying that people "would be shocked" when the details of her daughter's breakup from Woody Allen became public. Boy was this ever an understatement. Although Woody was (rightfully) vilified for his behavior, I couldn't help but think Mia wasn't the classiest person for her rather flimsy and suspiciously timed accusations of child molestation of their young daughter Dylan (he was completely cleared of any wrongdoing related to that accusation), but I suppose desperate people do desperate things.

Lucky for all of us, we will always have "Hannah and Her Sisters," "Broadway Danny Rose," "The Purple Rose of Cairo" and so many other classic films they made together to cherish. (Perhaps it's fitting that Woody hasn't been able to make a comparable film since their messy split.)

So it kind of made me nostalgic tonight that while reading the news I happened to come across both Mia and Woody's names -- as well as their one biological child -- and I couldn't help but think that the former lovers have more in common than either would like to admit.

For many years now Mia has been doing work as a UNICEF goodwill ambassador. She recently returned from her second trip to Darfur where she says more international aid is desperately needed. Mia told ABC's "This Week" that in Darfur alone, has only 20 percent of what it needs to continue its work. "And that's really why I'm here, to tell people I've seen firsthand that UNICEF and other aid agencies are all that there is right now to sustain these lives, keeping people alive." (AP)

Woody and Mia's son Ronan Seamus Farrow, who used to be known as Satchel O'Sullivan Farrow before things turned ugly between his parents, has been a UNICEF spokesperson for youth since 2001. He recently visited Berlin (photo above) to be part of a charity auction of "United Buddy Bears," which feature designs by artists representing 142 U.N. member states. At 15, Ronan became the youngest graduate of Bard College (he took his first college class at 11!) and was accepted into law school at Yale at 16, but has deferred his admission to work with former Assistant Secretary of State Richard Holbrooke.

Meanwhile, Woody Allen has been all over the place with the very young Scarlett Johansson, purportedly promoting their new film "Scoop," but creeping everyone who sees them together out nonetheless.

It seems even after all these years, Mia and Woody still love adopting and caring for young children in need.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

Kenneth,

I love your site. Have never posted before but I read it every day, after the NY Times, Wash Post and Towleroad. I felt the need to today becase of the Woody post.

Favorite director ever? Really?

He was a great talent, but sadly is in the ranking of people like Joan Crawford, Michael Jackson, Tom Cruise and Kevin Spacey. Artists whose personal lives over shadow their work. I saw a preview of the new movie this weekend and the thought of him with Scarlet was so nauseating.

As I said, great site, but favorite director?? His actions, as you say rightfully vilified him, should take that away. I threw out my Michael Jackson cd's after his last error of judgement, the same is true of Allen. I no longer see Manhattan as one of my favorite films, but one of a great art done by a twisted soul.

Have a great holiday sir.

Keep up the great work on your site.