Jimmy Bennett appeared on an Italian television program where he was ridiculed by the host in front of a live audience who appeared skeptical of the actor’s claims that Asia Argento raped him.
In the hour-long interview on Non e l’Arean, which translates to Outside the Arena, famous Italian journalist Massimo Gilletti made Bennett visibly uncomfortable in his first television interview since he accused Argento of rape while he was 17.
After Bennett detailed his experience with Argento, the host said: ‘It’s difficult to believe a woman can rape a man, an act of sex that is complete cannot be rape surely,’ he said. This came after the host asked if Bennett ejaculated during the alleged rape.
‘I was worried about coming in front of an audience and being accused of not being sincere about the violence against me,’ Bennett said about half way through the interview after seemingly realizing he was at the center of criticism. ‘After this, that’s why I chose the silent route. I was right.’
Jimmy Bennett appeared on Italian television program in his first TV interview
Bennet opened up about details during his alleged rape by Asia Argento when he was 17
Bennett has accused the #MeToo pioneer of rape when he was 17-years-old. Argento initially denied the allegations but said that she was the victim of an attack launched by the then teenager.
It was revealed that Argento’s late boyfriend Anthony Bourdain had agreed to pay Bennett $380,000 in hush money to get him to drop a lawsuit against the Italian actress which sought damages for the alleged attack.
‘I remember feeling uncomfortable and strange,’ Bennett said on the show while describing his relationship with Argento. ‘There was always a barrier of culture in how she acted, and maybe I didn’t know what to expect.’
‘It’s hard for me to talk about this in front of strangers and people I don’t know, but I do want to get the benefit of the doubt in telling the truth,’ he said.
‘After the kisses started getting longer and it started with her placing her hands in different ways. Following that was when she pushed me onto the bed and took my pants off and undid my belt,’ he added.
The host of the show, famed Italian journalist Massimmo Gilletti, appeared skeptical of Bennett
The host found it hard to believe that a woman can rape a man
He told Bennett he did not appear ‘traumatized’ in a picture the pair took after sex
In Italian translated through a device, the host then asked about the viral photo that showed Argento and Bennett in bed together that was presumably taken after the two had sex.
‘She asked me to take a photo,’ Bennett said. ‘Yes, it was on my phone. Yes, it was after we had sex.’
Gilletti responded: ‘I’m sorry, but you don’t seem upset, you don’t seem in this picture to be traumatized. You don’t look here like someone who was afraid.’
His attorney then questioned if he was under this scrutiny because he was a man.
At one point Gilletti asked: ‘Was the rapport complete?’ asking if Bennett ejaculated.
‘Well, yes,’ Bennett responded hesitantly.