New York (AFP)

Actress Annabella Sciorra, the best known of the women called to testify against Harvey Weinstein during his trial in New York, told Thursday in detail the rape and the sexual harassment that the ex-Hollywood tycoon allegedly subjected to him in the 90s, in a crucial testimony for this emblematic trial of the #MeToo movement.

First interviewed by Manhattan attorney Joan Illuzzi-Orbon, the actress known for her role in the series "The Sopranos" explained in detail her first meeting with Harvey Weinstein, during a dinner in Los Angeles at the beginning from the 90s, until the winter of 1993-94 when she claims he raped her in Manhattan, then her efforts to forget what had happened to her.

Speaking in a posed voice for more than three hours, briefly swallowing a few tears, the 59-year-old actress explained how the producer - whom she pointed to at the start of her testimony, sitting in a dark suit in the middle of her lawyers - was initially courteous to her, whose career then began to take off.

But things then go downhill, she says: he urges her to accept a role she initially didn't want. Then the threat to sue her if she doesn't shoot the film quickly. He sends her valium, which she begins to consume for the first time.

The alleged assault comes after a dinner in Manhattan with other people, on an unspecified date: he offers to take her home with his driver.

Shortly after being dropped off, while she is in her nightgown and preparing to go to sleep, there is a knock on the door. Harvey Weinstein then forced her into the apartment, she said.

She claims to have told him that she did not want to have sex with him, in vain.

Before very attentive jurors, she raised her arms to show how Harvey Weinstein would have blocked them to prevent him from struggling. She says she screamed.

She adds that she did not remember exactly what happened next, except that she regained consciousness lying on the floor.

She sank into depression, began to drink and hurt herself by cutting herself. She claims to have taken a long time to understand that she had been raped.

"I wanted to pretend it never happened. I thought (Weinstein) was a nice person, that he was normal. I was confused. I thought I shouldn't have opened the door ", she explained.

"At the time, I thought rape was something that happened in dark alleys .... by someone you don't know," she added.

Defense counsel Donna Rotunno continued with cross-examination, seeking to cast doubt on her testimony and the credibility of this key accuser.

Picking up Ms. Sciorra's story, Ms. Rotunno highlighted apparent inconsistencies and inaccuracies, such as the dates of this alleged assault and other meetings with Mr. Weinstein cited by Ms. Sciorra. And stressed that she was "professional actress", and used to presenting herself for what she "is not".

His courteous but firm cross-examination was to continue Thursday afternoon, firmly but courteously.

Harvey Weinstein, who remained bowed during the examination of the prosecutor, straightened up during the cross-examination, carefully observing his lawyer.

The 67-year-old producer risks life if convicted at the end of this trial, scheduled to last until March 6.

As essential as Ms. Sciorra's testimony is, her alleged rape is time-barred and not directly prosecuted at this trial, except to convince jurors that Mr. Weinstein was an "experienced" predator.

He is prosecuted for two other assaults, a forced sexual assault in 2006 on an ex-production assistant, Mimi Haleyi, and a rape in 2013 on an actress whose identity was revealed on Wednesday, Jessica Mann.

These two women are expected to testify later, along with three other actresses.

In total, more than 80 women, including stars like Angelina Jolie, Gwyneth Paltrow or Léa Seydoux, have since October 2017 accused Mr. Weinstein of harassment and sexual assault. Most of the facts are, however, prescribed.

© 2020 AFP