Miko Brando, son of the legendary actor Marlon Brando, has spoken out in defense of his father amidst allegations of rape involving his co-star Maria Schneider during the filming of a controversial scene from the movie “Last Tango in Paris.”
In a video released by TMZ, Miko Brando expressed his strong disapproval, stating that his father would have been appalled by the accusations.
He emphasized that Marlon Brando was a staunch advocate for human and civil rights, having even stood alongside Martin Luther King Jr. in support of social justice causes.
Disputing the claims against his father, Miko Brando asserted, “That's not my father, he wasn't that man at all.
He was for human rights.
civil rights.
He marched with Martin Luther King.
He was for the people, not against the people.”
The controversy reignited following the resurfacing of a 2013 interview with the director of “Last Tango in Paris,” Bernardo Bertolucci.
In the interview, Bertolucci confessed that Schneider harbored animosity towards him due to a scene where Brando's character uses butter as a lubricant in a non-consensual act with Schneider's character.
While neither Bertolucci nor Schneider explicitly stated that rape occurred, the situation became convoluted as conflicting news reports emerged over the weekend.
Some headlines implied that the scene depicted actual rape, fueling public outrage and condemnation.
Actress Jessica Chastain joined the chorus of criticism, denouncing the film and its creators on social media.
She highlighted the disturbing nature of the scene, emphasizing the stark power dynamic between a young actress and an older male co-star.
Reflecting on the incident, Bertolucci admitted to mishandling the situation, acknowledging that both he and Brando failed to fully inform Schneider of the explicit details beforehand.
Schneider herself voiced her distress in a 2007 interview, expressing her discontent with the lack of transparency surrounding the scene.
In response to the allegations, Miko Brando dismissed the accusations against his father as unfounded.
He suggested that Bertolucci's motives for disclosing the details years later may have been driven by financial considerations or personal agendas.
With Marlon Brando's passing in 2004, his son remains steadfast in defending his father's legacy against the damaging claims.
Despite the controversy surrounding “Last Tango in Paris,” the enduring debate serves as a reminder of the complexities and ethical dilemmas inherent in the world of filmmaking.
