Four-time Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh praises ‘gutsy’ women who spoke out against Harvey Weinstein

FOUR-TIME Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh has praised the “gutsy” women who have spoken out against abuse of power in Hollywood off the back of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal.

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FOUR-TIME Oscar nominee Kenneth Branagh has praised the “gutsy” women who have spoken out against abuse of power in Hollywood off the back of the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse scandal.

In Sydney for his new film, Murder on the Orient Express, the British actor urged the industry, and public, to keep listening and sharing stories.

Kenneth Branagh has praised the “gutsy” women who have come out to tell their encounters with Harvey Weinstein. Picture: Justin Lloyd

“It is unacceptable,” Branagh, 56, told Confidential.

“One instance of it is one too many. Everybody has to keep listening to what is going on. A lot of gutsy people have been speaking up about something that is difficult ... just because it is more possible now doesn’t mean it has made it any easier for them.

“I have unreserved admiration for the people who have had the guts to come up with stuff that has to be spoken about. It is not a world in our business that I have encountered directly.”

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Dozens of women have come forward claiming they were sexually harassed by Weinstein. Picture: AFP Photo/Robyn Beck

Oscar winner Lupita Nyong'o is the latest celebrity to accused Weinstein of sexual harassment. Picture: AFP Photo/Getty Images

Disney removed Weinstein from producing Branagh’s next film, Artemis Fowl, in the wake of the recent scandal.

“I have not encountered it but I am listening to people who I believe and I am in a position to do something about it, which is to just listen and change,” he said.

Branagh directed and stars in Murder on the Orient Express, playing Hercule Poirot in the new adaptation of the Agatha Christie classic.

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Branagh will star in a new film called Murder on the Orient Express which features a number of huge Hollywood stars. Picture: SuppliedKenneth Branagh as Hercule Poirot in a scene from Twentieth Century Fox's film Murder on the Orient Express.

In cinemas on November 9, the film features an all-star cast including Dame Judi Dench, Daisy Ridley, Penélope Cruz, Michelle Pfeiffer and Johnny Depp.

Branagh said another Poirot instalment would be on the cards if the film does well at the box office.