The Portuguese Association of Directors (APR) announced on Wednesday that it has called an “extraordinary meeting” following accusations against its member, Ico Costa, of being an “assailant of several women.”
“Given the seriousness of the accusations, we have called all APR members to an extraordinary meeting, which aims to generate and extend a serious and collective reflection,” the association stated, without disclosing the exact date of the meeting.
APR further confirmed it had not been contacted directly by the accuser. However, it acknowledged awareness of “an email detailing verbal, physical, and psychological assaults by Ico Costa,” which was received by several members and published on social media the previous day.
In response to the allegations against the member, the APR emphasized its categorical opposition to any form of abuse, harassment, and violence, assuring its solidarity with the victims.
“We hope that the complaints can be evaluated by the competent authorities,” they concluded.
The director Ico Costa was accused in an open letter signed by Joana Sousa Silva, a 28-year-old illustrator and former film student, of various assaults.
Joana Silva claims familiarity with several cases of women assaulted by Ico Costa and reports having been insulted and attacked by him with “slaps,” a “punch in the stomach,” and hair pulling.
“I was personally involved with Ico Costa for six months, about four years ago. I was betrayed, insulted, called derogatory names, slapped in the face, punched in the stomach, and had my hair pulled out. When I decided to file a complaint, I feared he would kill me. To my astonishment, he began to cry like a child and beg for forgiveness. Because of this, I realized it was a pathology and could not file a complaint, but disappeared from his life and we never saw each other again,” she recounted.
The accusation has been widely shared on social media, with numerous users expressing support for Joana.
Following the accusations, the IndieLisboa International Film Festival, taking place from May 1 to 11 in Lisbon, announced the removal of Ico Costa’s films from its program.
Meanwhile, in a statement to news agency Lusa, the filmmaker denied the accusations. “It is a false complaint made by someone I never met. This person does not exist. […] I am against any type of cancellation, and victims must exist, and at this moment they do not exist,” he declared.
When questioned about the withdrawal of his films from IndieLisboa, Ico Costa remarked that “it’s just another festival,” noting that ‘Balne 3’ had already premiered at other festivals.
