College blames logistics, ‘media climate’. Russell Brand prompted protest and apparent distancing by the Sarasota Film Festival.
By Johannes Werner
Host: New College triggered frenzy and confusion this week with its Socratic Stage series. After three consecutive announcements on Tuesday and Wednesday, one thing is clear: A controversial British actor will not appear on New College’s “Socratic Stage” this Saturday. Russell Brand’s planned appearance prompted at least one local group to announce a protest, as well as an apparent distancing by the Sarasota Film Festival and its chair.
Johannes Werner: Russell Brand has been attracting a lot of social media and press attention lately, after facing rape and sexual assault charges in British courts relating to incidents involving four women that happened years ago. He also may be facing a separate rape and sexual assault charge in U.S. courts.
Postponed: Promotional image for Brand’s Socratic Stage talk.
On Tuesday morning, the public liberal arts college sent out a press release doubling down on its commitment to hosting Brand as part of its “Socratic Stage” series. The release said the actor would appear this Saturday afternoon on the stage of the college’s own Sainer Pavilion.
“While the justice system independently addresses other matters, our responsibility is to ensure a space where ideas—especially those that invite dialogue such as the topic of cancel culture and free speech, can be explored with respect, critical thought, and intellectual integrity,” New College said.
Then, late Tuesday, New College sent out a second press release, announcing that moderator Mark Famiglio pulled out, and that the Sarasota Film Festival — which is chaired by Famiglio — “will not be participating in the event.”
In Famiglio’s stead, New College President Richard Corcoran would moderate the Brand appearance, the press release said.
New College’s Sainer Pavilion serves as one of the main venues for the ongoing film festival, and Brand’s Saturday afternoon appearance there would not only have been preceded and followed by three film screenings the same day, but it would have bumped the screening of a fourth film.
Famiglio and the film festival stirred controversy two weeks earlier when the festival’s printed program featured on its cover what Famiglio said was a satirical map depicting Canada as the 51st U.S. state. Famiglio is a New College alum and has sought proximity to Corcoran and his efforts to turn the college into a conservative showcase.
We tried to reach Famiglio for comment through his publicist, but – as of Thursday morning – did not receive a response.
Then, on Wednesday afternoon, New College issued a third press release postponing Brand’s appearance, blaming logistics. It did not give a date.
“This decision follows changes in event logistics, including the unavailability of the previously planned venue, the Sarasota Opera House. As a result, the event had been moved to a smaller on-campus theater with no tickets available for general access.”
New College said in its press releases Tuesday that the event was “at capacity”, but that a limited number of credentials were available for reporters.
New College also blamed the “media climate”.
“In conversation with Russell Brand’s team, all parties have mutually agreed to shift the event to a future date that allows for broader access and public engagement,” the release said. “While the conversation remains important, and possibly never more relevant, it is clear the current media climate is a distraction from the deeper purpose of the event—to explore free speech and civil discourse through open dialogue.”
Russell Brand
Brand, who has denied the rape and assault allegations on social media, portraits himself as someone who has found the Catholic faith since his days of promiscuity and drug use.
“I’ve never engaged in non-consensual sexual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist,” he said in a video posted recently on social media.
Before the postponement, Voices of Florida Fund, a local activist group that was the main force last year behind the amendment drive to embed the right to reproductive healthcare in the Florida constitution, announced on social media it was planning a protest.
“We want to make sure Brand & the decision makers at New College know that rapists & misogynists are NOT welcome in Florida,” Voices of Florida said in a Facebook post. “College campuses should be safe spaces for students to learn & grow, not a haven for predators.”
The Brand frenzy this week will be followed by Fauci frenzy next week. Dr. Anthony Fauci on Monday will be appearing at the Van Wezel Performing Arts Center, as part of the Ringling College Library Association’s speaker series. Local anti vaccine activists are organizing a “Freedom Fest” protest in downtown Sarasota the same day. It will be held at Five Points Park, and it will feature Dr. Joseph Ladapo, the Florida surgeon general who has spoken out against vaccine and mask mandates.
Johannes Werner, reporting for WSLR News.
Note: Our radio report, which aired 6 pm on April 9, still reflected Brand’s planned appearance.
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