This timeline presents key moments in the complex saga involving acclaimed director Woody Allen, his children, and the Farrow family, as a fresh documentary revisits the controversy.
Dylan Farrow, adopted at the age of seven by Woody Allen, has made allegations of sexual assault against Allen, dating back to the summer of 1992. These allegations have been the linchpin of her case against him. The professionals who listened to Dylan’s narrative at the time, and in subsequent years, have been split in their judgments of its authenticity and whether it was possibly influenced by her adoptive mother, Mia Farrow. Until now, the broader public has only heard an adult Dylan retell what she reported to her mother nearly three decades ago.
A new documentary, “Allen v. Farrow,” by Amy Ziering and Kirby Dick, debuting on HBO (also available on HBO Max), introduces video clips of a young Dylan, filmed by Mia Farrow, recounting her experience just days after the alleged abuse by Allen.
The documentary marks a new chapter in a case that has been a talking point for almost 30 years. The case resurfaced in 2014 when Allen was bestowed with a lifetime achievement award at the Golden Globes, and Dylan Farrow published an open letter, carried by New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof, in which she narrates her ordeal in explicit detail.
In 2018, New York magazine published a comprehensive interview with Soon-Yi Previn, Mia Farrow’s adopted daughter, providing her first in-depth comments on her relationship with Allen, who was in a relationship with Mia when Previn was a child. The romantic relationship between Allen and Previn commenced in 1991 when she was 21.
Allen has continuously denied any assault on Dylan and proposes that Mia Farrow manipulated Dylan into making the assault accusation after finding out about Allen’s affair with Previn.
The timeline, rooted in the 1970s, outlines notable instances and shifts in this ongoing narrative, according to New York Times publications and other news reports. It is designed as a reference and is not a complete record, and will be updated as needed.
Woody Allen Wife in 1977
Mia Farrow and her spouse, André Previn, adopt Soon-Yi Previn from Korea, who is supposed to be around 7 years old.
Woody Allen Wife in 1979
Woody Allen meets Mia Farrow for the first time at Elaine’s, a restaurant in Manhattan, later leading to the start of their relationship.
Woody Allen Wife in 1982
Their debut film together, “A Midsummer Night’s Sex Comedy,” hits the screens. The couple would later work together on 12 more films, including hits like “The Purple Rose of Cairo” and “Hannah and Her Sisters.”
Woody Allen Wife in 1985
Mia Farrow adopts a baby girl from Texas, Dylan.
1987
The couple welcome a son, Ronan. Later, Mia Farrow would suggest in a 2013 Vanity Fair interview that Ronan could possibly be Frank Sinatra’s son.
December 1991
56-year-old Allen adopts Dylan and Moses Farrow, another of Mia Farrow’s adopted sons from 1980. At the same time, Allen initiates a romantic relationship with Mia Farrow’s 21-year-old daughter, Soon-Yi Previn.
January 13, 1992
Mia Farrow stumbles upon naked pictures of her adopted daughter, Soon-Yi Previn, in the apartment of Woody Allen. Allen later admits in court that he believed his affair with Previn would remain a secret.
August 1, 1992
Despite the ongoing relationship between Allen and Previn, a distressed Farrow contacts Susan Coates, a family therapist, describing Allen as “evil” and “devilish” and urgently pleading with her to “put an end to his actions”.
Allen’s Relationship with Soon-Yi Previn
In 1992, Allen made news for his romantic involvement with Soon-Yi Previn, the adopted daughter of his then-girlfriend, Mia Farrow. This sparked a contentious custody battle that lasted for two years. Farrow was eventually granted sole custody of their children and Allen was obliged to pay Farrow $3 million. Allen revealed in a Reuters interview, “There was a scandal? I fell in love with this girl and married her. I find it amusing that people often refer to it as a scandal… because when I pass, I would like to be remembered for at least one scandal.”
Allen and Soon-Yi, who tied the knot in 1997, adopted two girls: Bechet and Manzie Tio. In a 2015 interview with NPR, Allen spoke about his 20-year-long marriage with Soon-Yi saying, “It’s been good.” He even said that the age gap between them has “worked in [their] favor” because she “reacted positively to a father figure.”
Sexual Assault Allegations by Dylan Farrow
Another major controversy surrounding Allen involved Dylan Farrow, his and Mia’s adopted daughter. Allen was accused of sexually abusing Dylan when she was just seven years old. The alleged assault occurred amidst the custody battle between Allen and Mia following his affair with Previn. The charges were eventually dropped after an inconclusive inquiry. However, in 2014, Dylan Farrow revived the allegations in a blog post written for Nicholas Kristof, forcing the media to revisit the case. Allen has consistently denied these allegations.
Farrow appeared in her first ever television interview to discuss her claims on CBS This Morning, aired on January 18, 2018. Many actors who had worked in Allen’s films expressed remorse for their decision. Greta Gerwig, a Golden Globe winner, vowed never to work with Allen again. Meanwhile, actors Timothée Chalamet and Rebecca Hall from A Rainy Day in New York pledged to donate their film earnings to charity. However, Allen’s reputation found support in the likes of Alec Baldwin who defended the director, stating, “Woody Allen was thoroughly investigated by two states (NY and CT) and no charges were filed. The rejection of him and his work serves some purpose. But it seems unjust and depressing to me. I collaborated with WA three times and it was one of the highlights of my career.”
