Reese Witherspoons movie about Amazon movies to debut on Amazon video platform
NEW YORK — Amazon.com Inc., which is facing growing criticism for not taking down or removing some of its online video content after allegations of sexual harassment and assault, is re-releasing its first film about a woman who worked as a Amazon assistant, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” to be shown on the video platform’s video streaming platform on Friday.
The movie is the latest in a series of efforts by Amazon to respond to criticism about its handling of allegations of harassment and violence against its employees and has been praised by many.
Amazon has denied wrongdoing in the matter.
The company said the movie would not be edited and that the actor and director, Tyler Durden, who is best known for his work on the television show “Arrested Development,” would appear in the movie.
The movie will be released on Netflix on Friday, the same day as “F50.”
Durden, 23, has appeared in two other Amazon films: “Furious 7” and “The Fault in Our Stars.”
He has not had an acting role since “The Great Wall,” a 2016 feature film starring Matt Damon and directed by Steven Spielberg, which also starred Reese Wetherspoons.
Amazon said it will provide an update on Durden’s health, including how he is coping.
Amazon also said that the company is revamping its video platform to include more “real-time storytelling” to “improve customer experience.”
The company has faced growing criticism over its handling and dismissal of sexual assault and harassment allegations against more than 200 employees and former employees who have filed complaints with the U.S. Department of Labor and with other agencies.
The allegations include sexual assault, harassment and retaliation.
The company said Thursday that it is reviewing its policies and procedures and plans to begin “a rapid and continuous review” of the company’s internal processes.
It has been criticized by human rights groups, who said that it had not done enough to protect the people who made the complaints and to hold employees accountable.