Debra Winger Calls for Polanski’s Release, Variety Reports
Debra Winger, Jury member for the Zurich Film Fest had this to say:
The American thesp criticized Swiss authorities for their “philistine collusion” in arresting the helmer at Zurich Airport on Saturday on behalf of U.S. justice authorities, just before the festival was to honor him for lifetime achievement.
“This fledgling festival has been unfairly exploited and whenever this happens the whole art world suffers,” Winger said in a statement to journalists on Monday, standing together with the other four international jury members in announcing they had decided to continue at the festival that is honoring Polanski.
“We hope today this latest (arrest) order will be dropped. It is based on a three-decades-old case that is dead but for minor technicalities. We stand by him and await his release and his next masterpiece.”
Winger added: “We came to Zurich to honor Roman Polanski as a great artist but under these sad and arcane circumstances we can only think of him today as a human being uncertain of the year ahead. His life has always informed his art and it always will.”
Protesters outside the festival’s main theater on Sunday, where he was honored despite being in jail, held up banners demanding his release and criticizing Swiss authorities for arresting him.
Have a Nice Day Roman Polanski! says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:38pm
“So for all you people defending him, bend over and take it up the ass by a disgusting individual like this child did”
“I hope Debra Winger gets treated horribly and the person who commits the crime flees the country”
Yea stormy…i just don’t get it.
Stormy says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:44pm
you never will get it until it happens to you or someone you love. To go through life and never be a victim is a blessing, to be victimized is hell, and to see someone walk away a coward angers the victims because everytime one gets away with the crime it opens a door for another victim. Most people are willing to stand up for animals than a person, it is amazing. And yes I still hope he gets what he deserves and I sitll bet he has more vicitms out there. I think all criminals should get what they put out…..and always will because I am human and I will let my maker judge me when it is time until then… bend over Polanski…… Jail is coming….
Bastoche says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:54pm
“It is so typical of Harvey Weinstein to use the Holocaust to get what he wants, whether it be a boatload of Oscars or vindication for a pedophile.”
— My friend Amy. Hahaha.
Tero Heikkinen says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:55pm
This is what religion does to you. An eye for an eye.
Some molested person wanting others to get molested, too. Sigh.
France is right, btw. They don’t need to give their own citizens to a country (be it Western or not) which has a backwards law system and unreasonable sentences (death penalty, anyone?) like that. Switzerland sucks.
There are many cases where an American citizen has suffered unreasonable judgment by a foreign court (add an Asian country, for example) and the media/public is on the side of the accused/convicted there.
Tero Heikkinen says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 9:58pm
But just so you know. What Polanski did was wrong, no-one can say it wasn’t.
I just feel that if the victim has forgiven and wants to forget… maybe it’s time to forget. Her word matters the most in my eyes.
Jeff K. says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:07pm
I am truly amazed at those who defend Polanski without reserve. The French think we Americans are being prudish? First, the fact that she was 13 made things worse, but this would have been a crime if she was 23. It is against the law to drug someone and force her to have sex with you. It is ashame that women are still so degraded in this world that rape is seen as a mere dalliance. Beyond that, in his trial, Polanski ADMITTED that he knew she was 13. Finally, the only reason we are talking about a 30 year old case is because Polanski managed to dodge justice for 30 years. Yes, there may have been misconduct, but nothing that would void the conviction. Besides, that would be an issue that Polanski would have to appear in court to argue. As it is, criminals do not get to dictate the terms of their trial.
Longtime Lurker, First Time Caller says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:23pm
Ok, perhaps someone can fill me in on the facts of this case, because I’m a little confused! My understanding is as follows, (and *please* correct me if I state something that is incorrect!): Roman Polanski had sex with a 13 year-old when he was in his 40′s. He offered her alcohol and drugs before the act. She accepted them, but tried to get him to stop the physical acts? (That’s a point where my understanding is a little fuzzy.) He was brought to trial and plead guilty, accepting the plea bargain. He served 40-some days, was psychiatrically evaluated, and subsequently paroled for good behavior. When he discovered that the judge was going to reneg on the plea bargain and slap him with a much longer sentence, he fled the country to France before the sentencing was complete.
I’m aware that this is a rather simplified version of the events, but that’s what I know. Now, there are some other things that I’ve heard that seem to complicate things further, and this is where I’m getting really confused: I’ve heard that the girl’s mother “put her up” to sleeping with Polanski in an effort to get her cast in a film and encouraged her to lie about her age. (And here I feel I must disclaim that I know that it’s not fair to use “he-didn’t-know-her-age!” as an excuse, nor am I implying that all of the blame is on her, because it isn’t. I’m simply stating what I’ve heard, and I don’t want anyone to attack me unfairly!) I’ve also heard that she and her family didn’t want to press charges, and that she’s since forgiven him multiple times and asked for the case to be excused. Now, whether she did this because of the civil suit that was decided in her favor, a desire to protect her attacker (which can happen in cases of sexual assault), the goodness of her heart, or a desire to simply move on with her life…who knows? But I think it is something to take into account here.
Also, I don’t think you will find a single sane person on the planet who would excuse what Polanski did…including Polanski himself. I mean, he did plead guilty, after all! But I do wonder, from a legal standpoint, how this will all pan out. I mean, by all accounts Polanski’s trial was a sham and a travesty of the legal system, plain and simple. But since he jumped bail and fled the country, he’s still kinda screwed, right?
Idahograndma says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:29pm
I am with Stormy, how dare all of you make excuses for this very rich man, who took advantage of a child!
He definately IS a Sick Coward and should pay for what he did. A pedophile is always a pedophile! My husband is a retired law enforcement officer and none of you would believe the sick bastards he has delt with in his career. Polanski fled in order to escape punnishment, bottom line! Now he will pay, not only for the crime of raping and sodomizing a child, whose life he ruined forever, but he will now pay for the additional crime of fleeing from the law. No one here has asked the only question that is really the point. Why in the name of God, Should he be given any kind of a break ? To damn bad, so the Europeans and the Hollywood Film Industry has lost a director, they have many more to choose from! He is a Criminal and in America, whether it takes 1 year or 50 years to catch people like this disgusting sicko, he WILL PAY FOR HIS CRIME!!! As for Debra Winger? She is an IDIOT who’s career went down the tubes along time ago. I personaly ashamed that she lives in this country at all, let her go live in Europe, where the rape of an innocent child seems not to matter as much!! We Americans believe in Justice, not in meaningless pursecution. Roman Polanski will, I hope, spend the rest of his demented, perverted life
in prison!! I don’t give a damn about his genius,or his directorial accomplishments!! I care about a child’s life having been forever altered, by a sick, perverted bastard! Samantha may be an adult, but believe me, she is reliving that horrible night in her life, because of this man!! I have a daughter who, strangely enough,is named Samantha, she is 33, and I will tell you right now, Polanski would never would have made it to the court house ! I would have killed him myself and would have gladly spent my days in prison! No Sick Bastard would have defiled my daughter and gotten by with it, NEVER!!
Idahograndma says:
Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:46pm
So….. All of you who feel so very sorry for this criminal, should put yourself in this child’s place. What would you do, if it were YOUR CHILD or Your Sister ?? Has the world become so callous and sex oriented, that it cannot see the real crime here, the loss of innocence and the pain of what this child went through ?? I would like to know, where the devil were her parents?? What kind of people would allow their 13 year old child to be alone with this man or any other man for that matter?? They, it seems to me, are also at fault here. Wether she looked like a LOLITA or not, her parents neglected their responsibility and she lost!!
guany says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:26am
I love Debra Winger and Roman Polanski. Suck it haters.
Sure he did something very wrong 31 years ago. However, he admitted his guilt and even served some jail time (not much obviously, but he was evaluated by psychiatrists at the time and was deemed fit to not have to finish the last 40 days). He and the victim reached a plea deal, and the judge fucked it all up. Everyone involved has said that they were not surprised that he fled.
Its been over 30 years. Its time to move on. I don’t care if this is officially Polanski vs. the people of California, this case only involves Polanski and Geiman. Both of which have, and wish to continue, to move on.
Some of you people just disgust me. Get off your high horses and realize that this man is not evil, but he made a huge mistake. But he was cheated of justice and a truly fair and objective trial, just as he’s been cheated of many things throughout his long and painful life. As far as I’m concerned, the man has paid his dues to society. He’s one of our great artists and he (as well as Winger) have accomplished far more than all of us… especially IdahoGrandma… Christ that lady is insane. How about you try living through the Holocaust lady? Get over yourself.
Gail says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:32am
to “have a nice day moron polanski”. We’re not playing judge and jury, a real judge and jury have already done that. He was convicted in a court of law of drugging and raping a child, and he ran like the slimy criminal he is. It’s quite disturbing that you think this is okay because he’s a celebrity. Get help, or better yet, go out and buy yourself some morals and a conscience. If it was your sister or daughter, would you still think it’s okay. Oh, and I’ve never been a rape victim and have no personal axe to grind. I’m not a radical right republican or a religious extremist. I just care about children and justice. I suggest you never have any children until you get your morals and priorities straight. Protecting children is one of the most important issues on this planet. If you don’t agree, perhaps you should move to Thaiand. You’ll fit in well there.
Stormy says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:37am
tero
It has nothing to do with religon. an eye for an eye is another way of saying you get what you deserve. He deserves to pay for his crime. People like to tell Americans how bad they are but they sure do know who to come to for help. Now the only thing our justice system is asking is that Polanski Man Up if that is possible for him to do. Polanski ran and now he has created his own circus. He chose to rape a child, he chose to give her drugs, he chose to run, HE made his choices now it is time for him to face the music. What is so hard about that? Have you chose to do crimes against anyone? There are many people who make the right choice and for those the people that make the wrong choice should pay. He chose to make this last 30 years. Would you want a person who brutilizes an animal to Pay? why not one who brutilizes a child. They don’t need Samantha’s testimony for someone who pled guilty. He chose to invite this girl over in hopes of a career but when the time came he would not let her mother come the photo shoot and where was NIckleson when all this was going ON? it was his house. I will say it again a crime against a child is unthinkable. How about a 12 year old who has an STD in her throat because she is sexually abused by someone should the person who did that to her pay? there was such a child or should he go free just because he ran like a coward and before you put France on a pedistal you better read your history and learn some facts. If someone kicks your dog what would you do? hmm If someone hurts someone you love what would you do? hmm not so easy to turn the other cheek is it? If you cant do the time you shouldn’t do the crime. Man up Polanski… for all you defenders of Polanski I find it funny that to make your point you have to tell us how America sucks and etc… you can’t just stick to the facts. Idahogranma you got it girl you know, you get it…. to long time luker you only have the basic facts. I think the POlanski defenders need to read all the facts.
Gail says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:51am
Guany, as a Jewish person, I take great offense towards your using his being a Holocaust survivor as justification for drugging and raping a child. I have known many Holocaust survivors in my 57 years, and not one of them committed such a heinous act. In fact, living through such horror made most of them gentle, very sensitive, and much less likely to want to cause pain to others (except nazis). You really should think before spouting out such ethnic slurs. Bet you’ve never known a Holocaust survivor personally. Shouldn’t talk about what you don’t know.
grace says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 1:16am
Debra,
I and many of my friends have admired you for so long, but your stand on this makes me wonder if you remember when you were 13 or have a daughter. Shame on you!
fred says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 1:47am
Just to inform you that French public opinion is very much against Roman Polansky.
A recent pool shows that 65 % of the peoples support Polansky’ arrest by the Swiss authorities. The law must be the same for all and being a genius is not an excuse.
Just to mention also that Polansky has had sexual intercourse in France with a 15 years girl (Nastassia Kinsky) but was not prosecuted because sexual majority is….15 years old in France.
Then he married a girl (Emmanuelle Seigner) who is (only) 33 years younger than him.
This guy does have obviously a problem.
Anyway, everbody knows he will never go to jail even if he is extradited to the US, so all this story is very much “an hurricane in a glass of water”, as we say here.
Let’s move on.
Peggy says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 2:12am
I was once a fan of Debra Winger. Not anymore. I just don’t get the whole moral base in Hollywood and the arts. Sure they think its okay to sleep around and have affairs, okay they are all adults. But to stand up and say such outrageous and ridiculously stupid remarks about this pedophile being arrested for drugging, raping and sodomizing a 13 yr old child and saying this was a 30 year old case that was all over but a technicality! Where is her head? Polanski has had 30 years to make this right and he has chosen to hide like the scoundrel he is. You bet he should face the music. It is about time that the rich and famous are treated like everybody else, especially when they have used that celebrity to assist in elluding the law all these years. Bring him home and march him into that courtroom!
Stormy says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 3:51am
guany
did you live through the holocaust? How dare you cheapen the holocaust by even mentioning it in this forum. Parts of my family have been in a concentration camp and part of my family is Native American and it has nothing to do with this crime? I can tell you one thing a crime against ONE is a crime against ALL. Idahogranma has done more for her community by being a wife of a officer than you proably will accomplish in your lifetime. So for all of you who keep trying to defend polanski by crying wha wha about his past give me a break. there are people out there who have live thru the holocaust and NEVER raped anyone or have even committed a crime because they know what crime is. So You get off your high horse of excuses and stick to the facts. Polanski did not pay his dues and he is NOT a great artist. He just is a man who had a job. He is a mere entertainer big deal. He could never step into the shoes of a soldier, cop, firefighter, doctor, nurse, social worker.. etc he is a film director big deal. If he goes free it only proves money will buy you almost anything.
Hunter says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 3:59am
Is this site now linking to The Drudge Report or something? Who ordered all the fruitcakes?
Dominik says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 4:08am
All I can do is pray that Polanski is not send to the USA to face some of the people posting here, cause he would very likely end the same way than many poor black people ended in the pre-civil rights movement in the southern states.
To quote David Bowie: I´m afraid of Americans.
Dominik says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 4:20am
“the same way AS many poor black people ended in the pre-civil rights movement-ERA in the southern states”
Just to clear my statement…
Ziyad Abul Hawa says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:11am
Off topic: ‘El baile de la Victoria’ will represent Spain at the Oscar, despite the horrible reviews coming from Spain…
whathefox says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 5:37am
Stormy:
You are so right in your responses!!! I second everything that you have said!! I will never support any of these sell out actors who come out in defense of this horrible pedophile and his horrible crime against society and this child. How can anyone defend this?? What does his sad life have to do with his crime? He is an elitist who believes that he can do whatever he wants without paying the just punishment for it. I will never understand how anyone can defend this???? There is no excuse for what he did, no matter what country you are from!!!
larry67 says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:35am
Typical American witch hunt. From the same nation that invaded Iraq because of the assumed MDW.
Michael says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:38am
67@ Nastassja Kinski denied that anything sexual went on between her and Polanski. But of course, you probably know better…
60@ Frankly I find it disgusting when people call this a case of pedophilia. A pedophile is sexually attracted to CHILDREN who has not reached a sexual stage yet. If Polanski was a pedophile he simply wouldn’t be attracted to a 13 year old girl who already was sexually active when he did these things to her.
Was it wrong? Of course. That is undisputable.
But to say this is a pedophilia case is a mockery of CHILDREN who has been molested and raped by pedophiles. And really, to call him a pedophile, I think is on line with the sick people who thought he had something to do with the murder of Sharon Tate because he made that “devil worship move”.
Michael says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:45am
move = MOVIE…
SarahSimone says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 6:47am
The people commenting here about how those of us who want to see a rapist punished for his crimes are somehow “a Christian taliban” and part of the “Limbaugh nation” are the ones who need a reality check. I am an atheist and a liberal. If they arrested Bush and Cheney I’d throw a party. But NONE of this has a thing to do with Polanski. He raped a child. Wanting Polanski cleared of this is not about American totalitarianism, it is about the fact that someone whose art you admire might have to pay the price for raping a thirteen year old. And when he is inevitably let off, you will all be applauding it – cheering for the fact that a known rapist has gotten away with the rape. It’s disgusting.
Christopher says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 7:06am
I am somewhere in the middle here. Yes, I think Polanski should be prosecuted for his crimes. However, I am willing to bet that all of you that are so hyped up and angry of this “rapist” were not nearly as mob-like when Bush & Cheney where killing thousands of innocent people. You ask what Bush & Cheney have to do with it? I think the point people are trying to make is your going psycho nuts over a 31 year old rape case, yet the same mob mentality wasn’t and isn’t there for the attrocities that were committed under that administration. Perhaps if you were so “fervant” about murdering innocent children as you are about someone sexually abusing them, then people would listen to you and not call you ignorant.
While it’s important to keep prosecuting sexual predators, its important that we prosecute the killers of children. Lets see you get this passionate about putting Bush on trial.
Matt says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:14am
Christopher,
I am similarly mob-like when it comes to Bush and Cheney. I think this has me so worked up because it’s yet another example of someone who things they are above the law because they are special – be it artist, politician or sports figure. These people have a responsibility to society. I’m not saying that their responsibility is to be moral, upstanding human beings. Their responsibility is to abide by the laws that everyone else has to follow. These public figures have all the power. They believe they are invincible, and when they are called on it, they say things like “it’s a matter of national security” or “she threw herself at me.” The privileged few have a lifetime of people sucking up to them and idol-worshipping them. It’s fine when they get the benefits, but they want none of the responsibility. If this were an athlete or a politician, would the Hollywood community be up-in-arms? Of course not – they are trying to protect their own, and that’s just as reprehensible. When a Republican does something bad, Republicans typically look the other way. When Democrats do something bad, Democrats typically look the other way. We all need to stop looking the other way. If someone commits a crime, let the system deal with it. If you’re innocent, go to trial. Your popularity will probably get you off whether you are guilty or not, anyway. Just ask OJ about 15 years ago. Polanski’s not going to jail, but if he does, so what?
Dominik says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:38am
“Polanski’s not going to jail, but if he does, so what?”
His two little children might not ask “So what?” if their dad goes to jail in the US.
And I don´t think that Polanski considers himself standing above the law, nor do I or any of his supporters on this side. But to send him to jail would be not only irresponsible, but it would help nobody, really!
soul brotha says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:42am
He wasn’t convicted of rape; he was convicted of unlawful sexual conduct with a minor. He alleges prosecutorial misconduct. There was never a trial or hearing affirming these allegations. If you honestly believe everything you see in a documentary, all of Michael Moore’s allegations would, in fact, be true. I’m not saying his allegations are patently false. I’m just saying a medium (film) mastered by Polanski might not necessarily be the most partial medium. Granted, to some, the criminal justice system isn’t necessarily the fairest. But, there are constitutional safeguards which attempt to assure fairness and accuracy (change of venue, double jeopardy, right for a jury trial). Two of which Polanski refused upon his initial trial.
At this point, he has not received a sentence regarding his crime. As most criminals know, plea deals aren’t iron-clad. The judge has some discretion when setting sentences. It is my belief that he should be extradited and given the sentence he deserves. If he believes there were violations in process, he has the right to appeal.
soul brotha says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:44am
Dominik,
It would help the public’s sense of justice. If Polanski is able to evade the law (which he is doing), what does that say to other foreign residents, who happen to live in a country that does not extradite their citizens?
It cheapens justice.
Geebers says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:44am
Sasha,
“I can’t forgive Woody Allen because he sold out his own art when he hooked up with Soon-Yi; it ruined him and continues to haunt his work in a bad way.”
Surely this is a joke. Your logic here is absolutely absurd. Using this sort of reasoning to try to justify your opinion on this matter is a good way to keep people from taking anything you say seriously.
“as if catching Polanski is going to somehow end the evils of child molesting! As if!”
As if catching any one criminal convicted of any one crime is going to end the evils in the world. I suppose no one should ever have to pay for any crime because, hey, it’s not like getting that one person is going to make a difference, right?
soul brotha says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:56am
As a lawyer and a proponent of America’s criminal justice system, I am disappointed in how some of you view our process. Most of your opinions are ill-informed and based on gross stereotypes. This applies to both proponents of dropping the charges against RP and those against.
I would suggest fully informing yourself before opining about the situation with RP. It’s much more intricate and complex to be viewed as a sound-bite.
I’m particularly disappointed in Ryan and Sasha. When visiting a site of such nature, I expect the moderators to be fully informed. I’m not expecting partiality; this is not a newspaper. But, I do expect full understanding of the legal complexities.
You both are heavily scrutinized because, most of us, value your opinion. We respect your website and your views. We expect the same effort you put into opining about awards predictions. For this topic, I believe you’ve dropped the ball. Your handling of the sensitive legal issues has been reckless and inappropriate. You’ve allowed your passion for the arts to blind you of what’s really the issue: in the 1970s, Roman Polanski plead guilty to a charge, which involved the mistreatment of a minor. Her life has never been the same since.
One cannot make a victim out of a perpetrator. For the sake of justice, I will not forget the victim.
Dominik says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 8:57am
Soul Brotha,
many peoples sense of justice gets hurt by the treatment of Polanski in Switzerland.
Sasha Stone says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:03am
Again, THINK for a second. Do you really believe what you just wrote? No, it doesn’t justify it, yes, it shows extraordinary circumstances that could mess up a person for life. Don’t forget Sharon Tate eight months pregnant getting stabbed in the stomach by the Manson family and the media thinking you murdered your own wife.
Geebers says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:06am
You are correct; extraordinary circumstances very well could mess up a person for life…like, for instance, being drugged, raped, and sodomized at age 13.
Sasha Stone says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:08am
“All of you who feel so very sorry for this criminal, should put yourself in this child’s place. What would you do, if it were YOUR CHILD or Your Sister ??”
What would I have done?? Are you kidding me? How about not getting into the car with him alone? How about not taking off my top and letting him take naked pictures of me? How about my mom not letting me go without a chaperone? You all don’t know what it was like back in the ’70s but I’m here to tell you that even in elementary school in the ’70s in Topanga at ten years old I wouldn’t have gotten in the car with Polanski. But I didn’t want to be FAMOUS. You forget that at the heart of this thing is a girl who wanted something from Polanski. She wanted to be a star. She did all of that because she thought it would make her a star. She didn’t realize she was going to get drugged and raped.
Matt says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:20am
Sasha,
“But I didn’t want to be FAMOUS. You forget that at the heart of this thing is a girl who wanted something from Polanski. She wanted to be a star. She did all of that because she thought it would make her a star.”
That has to be one of the most pathetic things I have ever read. So a 13-year-old makes a couple of bad decisions, she has to take whatever comes her way from a 44-year-old man. That’s disgusting, and you should be ashamed of yourself for writing it.
Sasha Stone says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:27am
Matt, you should be ashamed for misinterpreting it. The question was asked – what would I have done if it was me or it was my kid? Full disclosure – someone very close to me WAS molested. In horrible, disgusting way and it ruined her life. She is someone I am closely related to. It came out of that same time period where there were no boundaries and everyone was doing drugs. But she was plucked from the crowd and taken to a remote location – she was just ten years old. And she was, of course, a virgin. The differences in the two situations is what informs MY reaction. Because I can tell you that we knew full well what men would do if you went to their house alone with them, took your top off, etc. We knew back then – we knew in elementary school, even in Topanga, even in the ’70s. But the girl I knew was taken and raped. She did not go willingly. Before you vomit all over your keyboard I am not saying the girl deserved what she got. I think was Polanski did was disgusting and awful. But I also hold the mother accountable and to a small degree, the girl. I teach my daughter to use sound judgment and to never put herself in situations like this. But it is Polanski’s crime. No other crime was committed. Please at least understand what I’m saying before you attack.
Gail says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:28am
1st of all, who said the girl he molested 32 years ago is fine with his getting away with it. I saw her on the news yesterday, and she said she’s fine with his being arrested, extradicted and prosecuted. Just because she “overcame” it and was able to some degree to get on with her life does not mean she’s just fine or that she is not damaged for life.
As for Debra Winger, she got just what she wanted. When was the last time you saw her getting any media attention? Years. Now people are talking about her. Maybe her career will get a jump start, maybe she’ll get work. Oh, wait, she’s still the same nasty woman who badmouths and can’t get along with any of her coworkers/ costars –Steve Martin, Richard Gere, Robert Redford–to the point where noone wants to work with her. Read about it on Wiki and other sites. And yet she sticks up for a pedophile.
And Christopher, I don’t get your thinking. How can you assume that because someone wants to see a pedophile punished for his crimes that the same person has no problem with what Bush and Cheney have done. That makes absolutely no sense. I would bet I’ve had more communication with my elected official about their crimes against humanity than most people, but that does not make child rape less of a crime. This forum is not about Bush and Cheney, therefore noone is addressing it here, not that we all think what they did was okay. Can you understand that?
Gail says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:43am
You’re right, Sasha, the fact that Polanski had some hard times in his life makes it okay that he spread the pain and misery to others, especially children. Is that what you want to hear. When you see it in writing from someone else, does it look as stupid as when you write it. Most decent human beings who have been through a rough life try to protect others, especially children, from that kind of pain. And then there are pedophiles.
Pierre de Plume says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:54am
I’ve engaged in heated arguments in the past on this subject and until now hesitated to join this, yet another one. As often is the case involving “hot” subjects, people’s adrenalin kicks in and reason gets thrown out the window.
First, I want to say that engaging in sexual activity with a very young person — whether or not it’s consensual — most always is not a healthy thing. The difficulty arises when we’re asked to draw a line for legal purposes: At what age does it become acceptable to have sex if one participant is considerably older?
Different countries have different laws related to this issue. In France and other European countries, the age of consent is lower than it is here. This certainly was true during the time frame of the Polanski case. As Sasha pointed out above, the cultural realities of the time that surround the Polanski case seem to suggest that adventurousness with sex and drugs by teenage girls was fairly commonplace at the time in question if not widespread. This doesn’t mean, however, that it was healthy behavior.
Caution: Let’s not confuse morality with the law.
I’d guess that few if any of us would say that Polanski did nothing wrong in the incidents at issue here.
From a legal standpoint, Polanski participated appropriately by facing the music of the legal process of the time — that is, until it became clear that the legal process became corrupted. Because of his European citizenship and financial mobility, he was able to do what many people aren’t able to do: He abandoned the country. So — legally — the case is unresolved.
Whether Polanski has paid the price morally we’ll never really know. What we do know is that he was incarcerated for a period of time that in many cases — including his case — would have satisfied the legal definition of paying his debt to society, except for the fact that he got scared and fled when it was clear that the case had become corrupted by factors not relevant to the incident involved.
I think it’s reasonable to assume that, were it not for Polanski’s privileged position as a public figure, this case would have progressed as scheduled and resolved through plea bargaining decades ago. A legal resolution would have been reached and we wouldn’t be here arguing about it.
But that doesn’t have anything to do with the morality of the matter. Morality is not something the legal process can adequately address.
So — please — let’s not let elevated heart rates obscure rational debate on the general subject of sexual abuse. Let’s not allow our generalized, collective anger congeal into a “nuclear option” aimed at one individual.
I certainly do not believe that Polanski should be exonerated because he has created good art over the years, nor do I feel that he should be exonerated because the victim in this case has forgiven him.
What I do believe is that going after him as part of an angry, morally indignant mob is not going to solve anything.
I would hope that the L.A. County district attorney would cooperate in putting this case to rest by assuring Polanski he would not be incarcerated were he to rejoin the legal process. The legal matter could then resume and be resolved.
The morality part? Well, that aspect of it has been evolving — and will continue to evolve — on its own track and at its own pace, regardless of what may occur in any legal venue.
The bottom line for he is that we’re spending way too much time paying attention to this particular case. As Ryan suggests, at this point there are plenty of other matters more worthy of our attention.
Sasha Stone says:
Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 9:55am
“You’re right, Sasha, the fact that Polanski had some hard times in his life makes it okay that he spread the pain and misery to others, especially children.” No, again, a typical response and a disappointing one. It helps to explain Polanski’s state of mind at the time and why it might be a tad different now, thirty years later.
He is not a pedophile – that, again, is ludicrous. And it’s an insult to those who were victimized by pedophiles. You know, like all of those kids in the Catholic church. Notice how nothing is being done to many of those priests. Notice how no one turns away from the church. Why?