Those are a few of the names on the Petition for Roman Polanski, spotlighting the precise reason this incident is important to the international film community:
By their extraterritorial nature, film festivals the world over have always permitted works to be shown and for filmmakers to present them freely and safely, even when certain States opposed this.
The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no-one can know the effects.
Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom.
The petition ends with this appeal:
On September 16th, 2009, Mr. Charles Rivkin, the US Ambassador to France, received French artists and intellectuals at the embassy. He presented to them the new Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the embassy, Ms Judith Baroody. In perfect French she lauded the Franco-American friendship and recommended the development of cultural relations between our two countries.
If only in the name of this friendship between our two countries, we demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski.
Full text of the petition, after the cut, along with the names of dozens of other filmmakers who have signed it.
Final word (as if) goes to the victim, Samantha Geimer, herself:
“I know there is a price to pay for running. But who wouldn’t think about running when facing a 50-year sentence from a judge who was clearly more interested in his own reputation than a fair judgment or even the well-being of the victim?
“My attitude surprises many people. That’s because they didn’t go through it all; they don’t know everything that I know. People don’t understand that the judge went back on his word. They don’t know how unfairly we were all treated by the press. Talk about feeling violated! The media made that year a living hell, and I’ve been trying to put it behind me ever since.” LA Times
Petition for Roman Polanski
We have learned the astonishing news of Roman Polanski’s arrest by the Swiss police on September 26th, upon arrival in Zurich (Switzerland) while on his way to a film festival where he was due to receive an award for his career in filmmaking.
His arrest follows an American arrest warrant dating from 1978 against the filmmaker, in a case of morals.
Filmmakers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision. It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him.
By their extraterritorial nature, film festivals the world over have always permitted works to be shown and for filmmakers to present them freely and safely, even when certain States opposed this.
The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no-one can know the effects.
Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom.
Filmmakers, actors, producers and technicians – everyone involved in international filmmaking – want him to know that he has their support and friendship.
On September 16th, 2009, Mr. Charles Rivkin, the US Ambassador to France, received French artists and intellectuals at the embassy. He presented to them the new Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the embassy, Ms Judith Baroody. In perfect French she lauded the Franco-American friendship and recommended the development of cultural relations between our two countries.
If only in the name of this friendship between our two countries, we demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski.
We’re going to try to drop this for now and move on, but since it blew up so messily here, I hope you’ll forgive me for making one more effort to demonstrate that there are as many sides to this story as there are impassioned opinions about it. As ONTD says rather pointedly, there’s been a firestorm of “bad emotions towards defenders of the acussed Roman Polanski and it seems some of you will have to quit Hollywood and put all these people on your hit list.”
Woody Allen
Wes Anderson
Darren Aronofsky
Jonatham Demme
Stephen Frears
David Lynch
Martin Scorsesefull list:
Fatih Akin, Stephane Allagnon, Woody Allen, Pedro Almodovar, Wes Anderson, Jean-Jacques Annaud, Alexandre Arcady, Fanny Ardant, Asia Argento, Darren Aronofsky, Olivier Assayas, Alexander Astruc, Gabriel Auer, Luc Barnier , Christophe Barratier, Xavier Beauvois , Liria Begeja , Gilles Behat, Jean-Jacques Beineix, Marco Bellochio, Monica Bellucci, Djamel Bennecib, Giuseppe Bertolucci , Patrick Bouchitey, Paul Boujenah, Jacques Bral, Patrick Braoudé, André Buytaers, Christian Carion, Henning Carlsen, Jean-michel Carre, Mathieu Celary, Patrice Chéreau, Elie Chouraqui, Souleymane Cissé, Alain Corneau, Jérôme Cornuau, Miguel Courtois, Dominique Crevecoeur, Alfonso Cuaron, Luc et Jean-Pierre Dardenne, Jonathan Demme, Alexandre Desplat, Rosalinde et Michel Deville, Georges Dybman, Jacques Fansten, Joël Farges, Gianluca Farinelli (Cinémathèque de de Bologne), Etienne Faure, Michel Ferry, Scott Foundas, Stephen Frears, Thierry Frémaux, Sam Gabarski, René Gainville, Tony Gatlif, Costa Gavras, Jean-Marc Ghanassia, Terry Gilliam, Christian Gion, Marc Guidoni, Buck Henry, David Heyman, Laurent Heynemann, Robert Hossein, Jean-Loup Hubert, Alejandro Gonzalez Inarritu, Gilles Jacob, Just Jaeckin, Alain Jessua, Pierre Jolivet, Kent Jones (World Cinema Foundation), Roger Kahane, Nelly Kaplan, Wong Kar Waï, Ladislas Kijno, Harmony Korinne, Jan Kounen, Diane Kurys, Emir Kusturica, John Landis, Claude Lanzmann, André Larquié, Vinciane Lecocq, Patrice Leconte, Claude Lelouch, Gérard Lenne, David Lynch, Michael Mann, François Margolin, Jean-PierreMarois, Tonie Marshall, Mario Martone, Nicolas Mauvernay, Radu Mihaileanu, Claude Miller, Mario Monicelli, Jeanne Moreau, Sandra Nicolier, Michel Ocelot, Alexander Payne, Richard Pena (Directeur Festival de NY), Michele Placido, Philippe Radault, Jean-Paul Rappeneau, Raphael Rebibo, Yasmina Reza, Jacques Richard, Laurence Roulet, Walter Salles, Jean-Paul Salomé, Marc Sandberg, Jerry Schatzberg, Julian Schnabel, Barbet Schroeder, Ettore Scola, Martin Scorsese, Charlotte Silvera, Abderrahmane Sissako, Paolo Sorrentino, Guillaume Stirn, Tilda Swinton, Jean-Charles Tacchella, Radovan Tadic, Danis Tanovic, Bertrand Tavernier, Cécile Telerman, Alain Terzian, Pascal Thomas, Giuseppe Tornatore, Serge Toubiana, Nadine Trintignant, Tom Tykwer, Alexandre Tylski, Betrand Van Effenterre, Wim Wenders.
EDIT: new names
Isabelle Adjani
Antoine Aronin
Paul Auster
Morgane Beauverger
Candice Belaisch-Goldchmit
Yamina Benguigui
Pascal Bruckner
Jessika Cohen
Philippe Corbé
Jean-Paul Dayan
Katarina De Meulder
Arielle Dombasle
Nathalie Faucheux
Corinne Figuet
Pierre Forciniti
Louis Garrel
Albert Gauvin
Johanna Gozlan
Davide Homitsu Riboli
Taylor Hackford
Isabelle Huppert
Neil Jordan
Thierry Kamami
Milan Kundera
Gaelle Lancien
Claude Lanzmann
Bernard-Henri Lévy
Sam Mendes
Camille Meyer
Patrick Mimouni
Yann Moix
Mike Nichols
Sandra Nicolier
Marie Nieves Perez Neël
Salman Rushdie
Carine Sarna
Ysabelle Saura Del Pan
William Shawcross
Olivier Soares Barbosa
Steven Soderbergh
Nil Symchowicz
Danièle Thompson
Eugenia Varela Navarro
Diane von Furstenberg
Scott Foundas
Margaret Walker
Elsa Zylberstein
213 Responses for "Scorsese, Allen, Aronofsky, Mendes, Nichols, Soderbergh, Rushdie, Almodovar, Cuaron, Demme, Gilliam, Schnabel, Wong, Lynch, Swinton, Tykwer, Jordan, Schnabel, Frears"
Though the comments are closed on the previous three Polanski topics, we’re leaving the discussion open here.
Let’s please use this as an opportunity to take a deep breath, and reboot to relieve our emotional overload, can we?
The debate was becoming way too hateful and too many good friends of the site were getting rubbed raw from all the friction. We’re not ever all going to feel the same way about this issue, but here’s a good place to agree to disagree, ok?
[Would this be a bad time to mention a Hollywood celebrity who stands in opposition to all the names listed above? Those who feel betrayed by Scorcese, Almodovar, Rushdie, et al, will be happy to know Dr. Laura is on your side.]
Interesting find.
And Sasha, sorry if I offended you in any way. If I did, that was not my intent. Life’s too great right now for all of us to be arguing. I would endorse a reunion of kinship amongst all the faithful readers of this website, regardless of our differences. We may not see eye to eye all the time, but we all are passionate about the things we love (in this case, movies). And that is a wonderful thing, I think.
I wonder if we’ll see Jack Nicholson’s name pop up in that list.
My personal opinion of Mr. Polanski is quite insignificant. Legally, he has to be administered punishment. Otherwise, a loophole is created in our system. He has the right to appeal; not the right to flee the country if he alleges prosecutorial or judicial misconduct.
Did you read this piece about the matter?
http://www.newser.com/off-the-grid/post/285/why-nab-roman-polanski-now-revenge.html
I gave up defending him the other day when some idiot repeatedly accused me of defending pedophilia, refusing to concede that I wasn’t making excuses for the deed itself but pointing out the fact that he was unfairly treated from the beginning.
Prison is meant to rehabilitate people so they can get back into society and contribute to it constructively. Polanski isn’t Gary Glitter. He’s not a raging pedophile by any means. We need to stop lumping all sex offenders under one umbrella; that’s how witch hunts start.
It’s over. We need to get over it and worry about more important things like our non-existent economy, a slowly disappearing public option, and two raging wars that need to end. How many more times does Samantha Geimer need to forgive him before we all shut up about it?
You should have just ended this with “let’s just agree to disagree”. But you have to continue the issue. If facing a court will do no good for him, why should anyone else have to? People have gone to jail for lesser crimes. Why should they have to be punished when you and all these people expect Polanski shouldn’t? Just because he is talented does not make him above the law. Why should he be treated differently? Others have suffered too. He is not the only one to get an unfair trial. Why excuse him when others have to face the court? My problem is the special treatment you all are asking for him. I don’t care what these people think. They speak up for one of their own, but not other citizens that have faced unfair trials. Why do we need the judicial system since Hollywood and Awards Daily readers are the one who determine what should happen to criminal offenders. Let’s just leave this issue alone. Enough with the cruel comments on both sides.
On the previous post… I didn’t read the e-mail, nor is it necessary to… Sasha, Ryan and whoever makes this excellent and extraordinary blog about ART. about CINEMA and about FREE and RESPECTFUL OPINIONS ans SUGGESTIONS should NOT be affected for rude and ignorant people… Sorry to say but if our contributions are respectful they shouldn’t be targeted but also respected and discussed correctly. This said Sasha your blog will always be a reference on information and respect on ART.
On Mr. Polanski… if he actually did “rape” or whatever do this girl (now woman) yes… he should pay. It’s a crime. So no question asked on that. His films, past, present or future ones, NOTHING have to do with his crime. We can’t put a finger on Chinatown, The Pianist, etc etc etc just because he did a crime. Leni Riefsenstahl was Hitler’s favorite filmaker and she was REFERENCED AT THE OSCARS when she died. So… why didn’t anyone make noise about the filmmaker that was close collaborator of one of the biggest killers on Man’s History ? Wasn’t that terrible also ?
Finally… Why should Switzerland deport Mr. Polanski to the USA? I mean… Comparing with other crimes… the US REFUSES to deport any US citizen to another country for any crime possible if it is asked!
To things are damaged here… Switzerland wich is being pressured by US justice… and is being watched by it’s European neighbours with disbelief… and of course Zurich International Film Festival.
Sasha and Ryan… PLEASE keep up with the EXCELLENT work you have being doing here for a LONG TIME now!
To reiterate, I don’t think this is about film. This is about a person who attempted to flee the country before facing a sentence. He no longer has the convenience of arguing judicial misconduct, since it is likely he will face sentencing with a new judge.
Again, the extent to which you’ve gone to down play the damage done to the victim and to “victimize” the perpetrator is negligent. You’ve even gone so far as to blame the victim for what happened to her. No one deserves to be raped, murdered, robbed or assaulted.
Polanski is no victim of injustice.
I’ve been working way too hard the past few days, so I wasn’t able to visit the web site until this morning and catch up.
I did get a chance to read the email sent to Sasha before she took it down. Deplorable. There’s no room for that stuff, especially not here.
I’m on the fence about this one. It’s in the hands of the law now. Whatever the outcome, we have to accept it and move on. It’s a shame it has to come to this, though.
Gosh News must be really slow today. can we just see what happens in the Polansky thing and talk about some movies or something. There must be something else going on in the world of movies.
Polanski Daily.
The trick is not minding.
Give me a good, legal, reason why the charges ought to be dropped. Please do not cite a documentary. Or, something you read. Most of the material about the case is a matter of public record.
something you read (in a newspaper)…
Gosh News must be really slow today. Can we just see what happens in the Polansky thing and talk about some movies or something. There must be something else going on in the world of movies. All I am seeing on this is Polanski.
Yes! I am indeed boycotting the people on that list. The decay! I’m no prude. no! no! I’m down for some can, our society way with it? you can plain startling escape punishment and be rewarded? people signing that petition who can molest a child and Fire and sulphur are going to descend upon HOLLYWOOD get moral ; it’s like we have no boundaries anymore. Just wait and see. Don’t get me wrong, and ravish it into ashes of our society is just craziness and a jolly good time. But this? when the unthinkable strikes your family. noo draw the line somewhere. What message are we sending to sign your own petition to the young kids has a way There will be no one of getting back at you. That’s all I have to say about this.
[That comment got run over by a truck or something. Afrika, you need to stay off the roads. At AD, you've lost your license to drivel.]
There are so many enormously complicated issues at play in this case, and it’s easy for emotion to come into play. What I do find most concerning about the debate, though, is the shift to making it about film and art. How brilliant the man is should be irrelevant. There is no “he’s an artist” free pass on any legal charges. Nor should there be.
Because of my personal feelings about the case, I’m distressed to see so many people I consider myself a fan of supporting this petition. But so it is.
My only concern for this site itself is that by continuing to offer “last words” about the topic, I fear you’re only fanning the flames. I think you can engage in the discussion (in spite of the massive ugliness you would have to face) or not. Tiptoeing through it seems it will only make people angrier.
*group hug*
I’ve been on this site for a looong time. I’m an openly gay man living in L.A. I voted for Obama. I voted against Prop. 8. I consider myself liberal. But this, is just unbelievable. What Polanski did was wrong – period. Yes, Polanski is a great director. Yes, he has been through alot of shit in his life. He should have faced the music back then – but he didn’t, he ran like a coward. She might have dropped the charges, but it doesn’t make it ok. I can only speak for myself – but I will never let someone’s talent cloud my judgement of what’s right. The law is the law.
People are stupid. So the phrase goes…
Criminally, a victim cannot drop charges. The discretion to charge is left to the prosecutor. Hence the term, prosecutorial discretion. Settlement payments would make a person do anything.
I am totally with soulbrotha on this one.
I have to say, I completely agree that we should leave the art out of this. As I said, I think Gary Glitter is a reprehensible human being in ways that Polanski doesn’t even come close to. I may like some of his music but it doesn’t matter to me. But I still think Polanski should be absolved of all this. Not saying it was right, I just think it’s time to move on. I’d say the exact same thing if we were talking about Michael Bay.
The film community taking care of its own. Republicans taking care of their own. Democrats taking care of their own. Sports stars taking care of their own. Let’s just make make a law that exempts an influential person from any prosecution. It will make this easier to stomach. I’ve never had a problem separating the artist from the person. I love a lot of these people’s art and will continue to enjoy them as long as they produce it. Doesn’t mean I agree with them.
I see John Landis on this list – now that’s rich.
I heard Hitler was a pretty good pianist. What’s all the hoopla about the holocaust?
All these filmmakers will speak out if all Americans decide to boycott copyright laws and illegally watch their movies, but it is okay for Polanski to boycott the american criminal system. He had an unfair trial but he could have challenged the sentence. He had 30 years to return to do so. All this could have been over. The jugde is dead. If you believe the American justice system is so evil and it will be impossible for him to get a fair trial if he returns, why not argue no one, even murderers should have to face courts. Why should Polanski be excused and others less fortunate people have to face the same system you think is not good enough. He suffered and was entitled to a fair trial, but I am shocked by how many people are downplaying his actions. I personally don’t mind if he is pardoned, but it should be by a court, not the public. But I will never respect him.
Here’s a solution that may possibly please everyone:
1. Fast track his extradition.
2. Put Polanski before a judge immediately.
3. That judge can then sentence him to time served and deport him immediately, and he’s never allowed back into the US.
4. He can go back to living his life exactly as he has for the last 30 years, and the case is finally put to rest.
This whole thing is ridiculous. Polanksi raped a girl. The judge was about to punish him unfairly. He fled the country illegally. The US caught him again 30 years later in a manner that is so ridiculous, it is almost farcical. There is clearly no right side here, only wrongs.
“All these filmmakers will speak out if all Americans decide to boycott copyright laws and illegally watch their movies, but it is okay for Polanski to boycott the american criminal system. He had an unfair trial but he could have challenged the sentence. He had 30 years to return to do so. All this could have been over. The jugde is dead. If you believe the American justice system is so evil and it will be impossible for him to get a fair trial if he returns, why not argue no one, even murderers should have to face courts. Why should Polanski be excused and others less fortunate people have to face the same system you think is not good enough. He suffered and was entitled to a fair trial, but I am shocked by how many people are downplaying his actions.”
Well Said, esp the part about less fortunate people facing the same unfair system and some even innocent going to jail. Also I agree, I am shocked by how many people are downplaying his actions. He should just do the trial and get over with it, because he is a celeb, we know he will get pardoned anyways. However, many of these film people are at times full of it.
To 28,
Oh so true. People are just blinded by his celebrity. He had legal recourse. He took matters into his own hands.
The fact that he was able to plea to a lesser crime is pretty preposterous. No one is saying about the system regarding his fairly lenient plea arrangement. You guys are ass clowns.
Everyone watch:
Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desire
and it will tell you how he really left
I’m just glad the thing has a chance of finally being resolved. Kind of tired of hearing people who argue passionately for or against Polanski.
Watching a documentary to formulate legal opinion? Seems like a good way to come to a conclusion on the matter.
I’m permanently banned for being a constant prick, so I’ll shut up now. Bye.
@ Niles
I saw it. But the law is the law. He should still face the courts. By the way, the documentary was really one-sided. I remember the part with the picture of him drinking when he was allowed to go complete his picture abroad. The man was on trial for rape and he was found the time to party when the evil judge let him leave the country. Who knows what else he did there. But the documentary completely defended and made excuses for him. This is not a movie where we cheer for the villains. This is real life and he needs to return for the fair sentence which he is entailed to.
I know you guys are able to read better than this.
The petition has nothing to do with the rape, the plea bargain, the waffling judge, or the escape. It’s about the crude and flatfooted manner in which Polanski’s abduction was orchestrated.
I featured the relevant paragraph from the petition at the very top of this piece. The filmmakers are asking that governments handle film festivals the same way they set aside differences to meet for the Olympics. Athletes from the USA and Iraq and North Korea and Israel and Iran can run in the same marathon without having to worry about get shot by each other’s teams or having a nuclear missile aimed at them as they cross the finish line.
If artists and writers and athletes have to worry if they’re being tricked and backed into compromising corners, then Switzerland and the US are no better than Myanmar or Soviet Russia, trapping citizens under suffocating house arrest like Aung San Suu Kyi or exiling writers for 20 years for winning a Nobel Prize like was done to Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn.
The tradition of filmmakers being able to show their movies freely and safely, and receive awards without fear of legal cat-and-mouse games or political backstabbing.
Nobody who signed that petition is saying “the charges should be dropped.” They’re saying the United States is rewriting rules of international respect to suit its own vainglorious spiteful agenda. That shouldn’t surprise us, but it’s still fucked up.
(And it’s vanity, pride and spitefulness, make no mistake. Polanski has been traveling back and forth to his home in Switzerland for decades, but they LA prosecutors are pissed off this year because Wanted and Desired exposed them as clumsy bunglers with shifty ethics. So they lashed out, and Switzerland hopped to, because their devious amoral banking schemes are in hot water.)
OMG
“I know there is a price to pay for running. But who wouldn’t think about running when facing a 50-year sentence from a judge who was clearly more interested in his own reputation than a fair judgment or even the well-being of the victim?
“My attitude surprises many people. That’s because they didn’t go through it all; they don’t know everything that I know. People don’t understand that the judge went back on his word. They don’t know how unfairly we were all treated by the press. Talk about feeling violated! The media made that year a living hell, and I’ve been trying to put it behind me ever since.”
These are Samantha Geimer’s fucking words!!!!!!!!
Even she thinks the judge was an asshole. You people amaze me and look at all those supporters. I guess all those Debra Winger haters are going to be haters of all these people now.
Next thing you see – My god, I used to be a fan of Martin Scorsese but now I’m not.
Every comment you’ve ever made on this site can be deleted permanently with one click, Afrika. Is that what you want? Because it’s about to happen, buddy.
That’s close to 1500 comments. Do you want those to disappear forever?
Do yourself a favor and drop out of sight for about a month, will you? I really don’t want to use the permanent ban button, because then there will be no way for us to see if you ever want to try to straighten up.
So I’m telling you one time. When that button is clicked, you’re gone forever, along with 1500 comments of your comments — a shame, because occasionally you make a worthwhile contribution.
I’m serious as a heart attack. Not fucking around with you anymore. Sasha and I have had enough of your antagonism.
I’m sorry Ryan but i can’t equate innocent athletes, writers and artists to a guilty fugitive in a country with an extradition agreement. May be I am not smart enough. America has extradition agreement with Switzerland and many other countries. It is not some hidden agenda designed to get Polanski. So it is spiteful to get fugitives to return to face their crimes? No one, not even Polanski will complain about Nazi war criminals extradited to face their crimes even after 50 years. So this case is about “the rape, the plea bargain, the waffling judge, or the escape.” because people think he does not deserve to be extradited while others do because of his crimes.
“LA prosecutors are pissed off this year because Wanted and Desired exposed them as clumsy bunglers with shifty ethics.”
Then why don’t you argue that no one should be prosecuted by them since they are so bad. Why exclude only Polanski?
If this ever turns out to become a fight between Polanski and Afrika, boy do I know who’s side I’m on.
Despite my feelings about his crime, I don’t boycott Polanski’s films. And even though I feel personal disappointed at that list of names, it doesn’t change my opinions of their films.
Comparing Polanski to Solzhenitsyn is BS. Polanski is not a political prisoner, he isn’t in trouble for his ideas or his words or his beliefs. He is in trouble for his illegal actions. He raped a child. These are not comparable situations.
You’re hiding behind all of this talk about neutral countries and international relations. Which is not to say that you don’t legitimately take exception with the way the situation was handled, but this is obviously more about the fact that you admire his work. It’s an excuse to let a filmmaker you like off the hook for rape. I like Polanski’s movies. That doesn’t mean he gets a free pass for rape. Arguing that he should be freed is the same as arguing that he should never have to face any consequences for what he did, because we all know he’ll just continue living his life as he has for the past few decades. Justify it however you want, at the end of the day, you’re rape apologists.
this is all so ridiculous.
FREE POLANSKI
I do see where you’re coming from, AUU. In making those comparisons, my point was this: Aung San Suu Kyi and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn are innocent to us, but they’re criminals to the people who oppress them. Perception of guilt is not an absolute across all boundaries.
Polanski’s crimes carry different weight and different mandatory penalties in different countries.
“Then why don’t you argue that no one should be prosecuted by them since they are so bad. Why exclude only Polanski?”
Now you’re missing the point entirely. I’m not saying Polanski should be let off because the prosecution are fuckups. I’m saying that the prosecution left Polanski alone for 31 years until they were exposed as fuckups. See the difference?
“America has extradition agreement with Switzerland”
Yes, exactly — and has had for 50 years. So why wasn’t Polanski arrested during any of the dozens of visits Polanski made to Switzerland over the past 3 decades? He wasn’t sneaking in and out. He owns a chalet there! Nope, they cracked down this year, because of political touchiness over the USA’s IRS probes and because the LA DA’s office is aggravated about Wanted and Desired.
That’s how I see it. It’s ok with me if you don’t agree.
Free Polansky!!
I count 14 of my top 100 directors on that petition.
Not including #12 who is the subject of the petition.
#40, SarahSimone writes: “Justify it however you want, but at the end of the day, you’re rape apologists.”
This is a classic “either/or” logical fallacy argument: If you don’t agree with my read on the issue, then you’re ________ (insert favorite outrageous claim here). In Sarah’s case, it’s “rape apologists.”
It’s like me saying: “Justify it however you want, SarahSimone, but at the end of the day, you’re a member of the Christian Taliban.”
See how easy it is to make that kind of ridiculous claim?
Except for the part where you are, in reality, making excuses for why a rapist should go free. That is by definition what being a rape apologist is. Whereas being Christian Taliban would require me to believe that America should be a theocracy where the bible is the basic text used in all schools, and that people of any religion besides Christianity should be forcibly converted. At the very least it would require me to actually believe in Jesus. So you’re the one with the logic fail happening here.
Geimer herself has moved on, and yet all those who have nothing to do with what happened seem to be in an outrage over the supposed “lack of justice” if Polanski doesn’t face jail time or extradition, etc.
As outside observers, it is easy for us to fall into black and white thinking, but let me say this:
Justice as some of you see it is when punishment is handed out in proportion to the crime, no matter what the situation.
However, in the real world, Justice and the punishment are implemented in terms of crime prevention, making society better, etc. Or Justice is achieved by reintegrating the victim and the perpetrator into society, making them both whole and making the offender realize the effect of his actions.
In this case, I do see the awful, wrong and unforgivable crime, but also see that for both Geimer and Polanski, the Justice system failed both of them already. Lastly, by putting Polanski behind bars or extraditing him, we achieve nothing other than satisfying people’s abstract idea of justice. Polanski is not a danger to society, and both of them have moved on and reintegrated themselves into their lives and society as whole beings, so what is the point?
This sums it for me: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/nina-burleigh/genius-and-young-flesh_b_302515.html
@ Ryan
The LA prosecutors are shady. I’ll give you that. Speak out against them all you want. What I don’t understand is how you defend Polanski even though his actions are far worse. But that is my own opinion. You can at least admit he is actions were wrong. Why don’t you call him out too? Why defend him? Just because he was never arrested does not mean he had settled the case. He left it open by not returning. He was left alone for 30 years, but that does not mean that it was the right thing to do by the LA courts. Wanted and Desire reopened the case. Would you argue against cold cases that were reopened because of new evidence? Only for talented people I’m sure. And whatever you believe the motive of the prosecutors is, they have not stepped out of the law to ask in trying to bring him back. Even though they did not go after him “until they were exposed as fuckups”, it does not change the fact the has has not gone through the criminal justice system like he is supposed to. But you want the law to be ignored for him.
We are going to have agree to disagree on this one. I’m out. I have to go back to work. I tried so hard to stay out of this debate.
What if Adolph Hitler was also an award-winning director?
I’m mutal on this. Yes he had a terrible life but that’s not an excuse for what he did, he’s raped a 13 year old girl. But then again she even wants the case gone and the guy is 76. Just man, overall what a life he’s had.
Polanski is not a danger to society, and both of them have moved on and reintegrated themselves into their lives and society as whole beings, so what is the point?
I haven’t posted here at AD since after the last Oscar ceremony (long story) and I count to 30 before I post anywhere these days, especially on a topic like this one, but this is too odd. Just because someone has “reintegrated” himself into society, “has moved on” and is no longer a “danger,” that does not mean that the slate has been wiped clean. And I think it’s wise if I leave it at that.
Ken P,
Very good point. Goebbels might have been an amateur director. I think we might have rushed to judgment on these guys. I mean you have to take into account their contribution to the arts. Also, where was the german representation during the Nuremberg trials? there might be some procedural issues with that.
“Polanski is not a danger to society, and both of them have moved on and reintegrated themselves into their lives and society as whole beings, so what is the point?”
That is your own view. Other people clearly have a different take on this. If a woman murders her cheating husband, some people will argue she is no longer a threat to anyone else, others will demand punishment to deter other from doing the same. That is why the judicial system is necessary to decide these issues. It failed in this case but that does not mean we throw out the books completely. There needs to be a uniform process for handling cases that represents the people and not just what Diane thinks is right.
@SarahSimone:
“Except for the part where you are, in reality, making excuses for why a rapist should go free.”
No. The rational argument to why he should go free (not the blaming-the-victim argument or any of that abhorrent nonsense) is that if the original judge conducted the case properly, that’s exactly what would have happened. He would’ve gone free. Legally. Thanks to the U.S. justice system, flaws and all. Rape is never OK — that’s not the point. The point is that had the United States justice system worked as it was supposed to, the plea agreement would have gone through and the case would have been over.
Just watched Wanted and Desired. The documentary is very well-done. It’s presented in a partial manner. My opinion on the case still remains the same: he ought to come back and receive a sentence. Personally, I believe he would have likely been convicted of rape. But, considering the circumstances, he was able to plead to a lesser crime.
Whether he’s a rapist is moot at this point. He can never be retried for that offense because of constitutional safeguards.
I respect him as a director. In fact, Chinatown is one of my favorite movies. Moreover, I sympathize with Polanski for some of the tragedies that has befallen him. But, justice has not been served, criminally. For the charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, he should not have to spend time in prison. But, a sentence ought to be rendered to this chapter in Polanski’s and the victim’s life.
“Geimer herself has moved on . . .”
Geimer = the law?
Because she’s moved on does not mean the law has . . .
We are not talking about murder here. Too many ifs in people’s sentences.
We are talking about a 31 year old case. Polanski certainly hasn’t been a danger to any society in all that time so yea what is the point?. More so, Geimer’s statements obviously don’t matter to some you, so I ask again…what’s the point?.
…and what’s with this Adolf Hitler shit?. Are people really comparing Polanski to a madman dictator who wiped out millions of jews?, among them Polanski’s own family.
I’m am not arguing for the slate to be wiped clean.
I’m am viewing justice from a utilitarian point of view. In that, I don’t see how putting Polanski behind bars will improve society or protect society, other than to punish him for what he has done.
*sigh* I see that on this issue the people on the two sides of this will never see eye to eye.
I see the other side’s point and I take it to mean that Polanski should be made to go through the legal process again that failed him and the victim in the first place, to do a “do over”.
It does not matter how long someone has gone without punishment if they broke the law they deserved to be punished. Where i work i come into contact with people who were wrongfully convicted and treated unfairly by judges constantly. The judicial system in my estimation is unfair and corrupt but it is the system. Folks devoid of the resources that Mr
Polanski possesses are unable to elude jail for so long, he got away for a while now he has to pay the piper…such is life. I would like to see these same ent. sign petitions and get involved with everyday people whose lives are ripped apart by gross injustice instead of drawing a circle around their own and keeping the world in the cold with their tremendous platform
Did the real Afrika really insult Ryan??
No one’s comparing RP to Hitler. The analogy is a bit more subtle. Clearly, celebrity and his status as a filmmaker has caused many of you to turn a blind eye to justice. The analogy to the Nazis points out an absurdity in your claim: had RP been a Nazi convicted of manslaughter instead of murder for a particular atrocity and had judge Rittenbauer presided over his case, would we have the same opinion?
Those who argue his case ought to, at most, be completely wiped out due to the actions of Rittenbauer must, necessarily, commit yourself to the same position, whatever the crime may be. Thus, by analogizing to Adolf, those who disagree with such ridiculous reasoning point out how absurd you all really sound. You can’t argue, on one had, he should stand trial and, on the other, he shouldn’t. It doesn’t work that way.
Why is that Nazi comparisons are always made? When you inject Hitler into your argument, you ALWAYS LOSE. PERIOD. Such comparisons are so far fetched from reality and so extreme and so common in usage there is even a term for them:
“Reductio ad Hitlerum” a fallacy in logic called “reduction or argument to Adolf Hitler or “playing the Nazi Card.”
“It is a fallacy of irrelevance where a conclusion is suggested based solely on something or someone’s origin rather than its current meaning or context.”
There is even something called “Godwin’s Law” where Godwin posits that the longer an online discussion/argument goes on, the more likely this Hitler argument is used.
OK, so he had a shitty judge: who hasn’t? The judge was removed in 1978. It’s time for him to face the music, end of story. You guys see narrative where there is none. Simply because one idiot judge decided this was his time to make a dent in Hollywood, it doesn’t mean all will necessarily follow suit.
OK Diane. Don’t use Hitler. Take the murder/manslaughter argument. Still holds.
For some reason, people treat murder differently than rape. It appears as though some arguing his case should be completely dismissed because of an idiot judge. I don’t agree. Sure the judge does appear to be a douche, but, in America, we have an appeal process. You can’t just take the law into your hands. It makes our system look oh so weak.
Maybe people in other countries don’t understand this. But it’s a very big issue for me and my fellow Americans. Or, at least, I hope it is.
I’m shocked by the reactions of people. Polanski is an artist no doubt, however he is also a criminal. The originating judge’s actions were deplorable, but then again so is the legal system. A 44 year old man raped, drugged and abused an 13 year old girl, which in itself disgusts me no matter how much I admire the artistry of the man in question. Pedophile is the only word that comes to mind, but it is what it is. I don’t care how many people think a 13 year old has the foresight to act as an adult (especially when drugged mind you), it’s simply unrealistic. I thought I knew everything when I was 18 & at 30 realized I knew nothing. Polanski was sentenced. He was guilty. His plea “bargain” was changed so he chose to commit another crime. Yet, there are so many defending him and the choice to commit the 2nd crime even when other options were available. What bargain did his victim get? Two wrongs do not make a right. Per the comments about how long Polanski has to pay… His victim has paid for his actions since she was 13 years old and will continue to do so for the rest of her life. Somehow, in some way, I’m supposed to feel pity and decide the criminal in this case has paid enough… The first sentencing was light weight in my opinion and if it had been anyone else, well I’d think those numbers would be different. There are so many wrongs on all sides in this case, but that doesn’t change the original crime & subsequent crimes. Polanski was lucky he had 30 years free and be man enough to face the consequences of his actions. Afterall, he left his victim with no choice. Per the comments about the victim’s feelings and wishes now… the man still commited crimes and no matter how much we want the bad things in life to go away so we can forget it just doesn’t happen. Maybe it would have had, had Polanski been man enough 30+ years ago, no matter the judge.
He raped a child. Everyone’s excuses for him are just derailing the argument. Yes, the judge screwed him over. Yes it was decades ago. Yes, he is a brilliant director. Yes, he has suffered a lot of personal tragedy. Yes, his victim forgives him after he bought her off. But none of these things will change the fact that the man is a rapist who never paid for his crimes.
The blatant hypocrisy of this situation is astounding. Half of the man’s defenders will shun someone Chris Brown for his crimes and defend Polanski as if he is some sort of saint. It’s a pity for Chris Brown and his people that he isn’t a musical genius.
The victim says she wishes it would all just go away. Wouldn’t it have gone away years ago if Polanski had come back to America to face up to the SECOND crime he committed, that of leaving the States. At some point, in some way, he should need to face up to that crime before he gets to be considered “free”. The film festival arguement is absurd. If I am a criminal, hiding from the police in my own country, but I have a film at a festival and so I go to it, the police should NOT be allowed to arrest me? Really? Really?? To me, this all boils down to – Person A committed a crime; Person A should need to face the legal system for that crime. If after facing it fully he doesn’t like the outcome, THEN Person A can appeal. But Person A cannot take the law into their own hands. Did you see Nicole Brown’s family try to kill OJ simply because the legal system screwed up the case?
“We are not talking about murder here. Too many ifs in people’s sentences.”
We are talking about the rape of a 13 year old. It is not murder, but it is not far off. Don’t down play that fact. And besides everyone deserves their day in court from murderers to white collar criminals. No one is saying his action are equal to Nazi crimes, but what they have in common is the fact that they should have to face a court. If the court wants to let him on out on lesser sentence, I am fine with that. My brother had to go to court with his friends for taking a shortcut through central park at night. They paid their fines. I don’t see why Polanski should excused from the same process on his own terms.
“Polanski certainly hasn’t been a danger to any society in all that time so yea what is the point?.”
His punishment serves to deter other from doing the same, that’s a point. It sends the message that running is not the answer and also if you have money and foreign citizenship you can get away with anything.
“In that, I don’t see how putting Polanski behind bars will improve society or protect society, other than to punish him for what he has done.”
And even if punishment is all that comes from it, so what. He did the crime.
“I take it to mean that Polanski should be made to go through the legal process that failed him and the victim in the first place.”
If you think the system cannot work then why should anyone have to go through it. Free everyone, not just the talented and wealthy. There are other people who have not received fair trials but later had decisions overturned in court. Why shouldn’t Polanski receive the same treatment? Also, both the mother and Polanski failed the victim in the first place.
ADO Alfredo,
The real Afrika called me a ‘useless piece of shit’ and told me to go fuck myself. Afrika’s not coming back.
But not just because of those insults. I’d quote more than a dozen other insults he’s thrown at other readers this week, but that would be self-defeating since I spend so much time deleting those comments before the targets have a chance to see them.
“The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance”
See what happens when you assume.
come on, please.
it’s totally irrelevant if he’s guilty or not. He was being charged, fleed and therefore has to assume the consequences. I’d have to. You’d have to. He HAS to. Like anyone else. That’s called democracy and JUSTICE.
Then, we can find out if he’s guilty or not.
for those that feel he has no need for jail because he had been rehabilitated overseas, I take it you feel that the Tate/LaBianca murderers who were model inmates should have been let out on parole even though they admitted their guilt in killing Mrs. Polanski. What if one of them fled in the middle of sentencing and led a productive life in France for the past 40 years? No need for jail. Time served in France. Really?
I think you guys are just trying to bait Marty or Woody or Tilda into coming here to argue with you.
I think David Poland’s write-up is the best I’ve read yet:
The Key Pro-Polanski Rationalizations
1. He was going to be sentenced unfairly… so fleeing was okay.
2. It’s been so long, why is this still be pursued?
3. He shouldn’t have pleased guilty… so he should not be held accountable for having done so
4. He is a great artist and though we don’t want to say this out loud, he should be above these petty laws.
5. The girl and her mother have some responsibility in the matter.
6. The girl has forgiven him, so the law should too.
7. The butchering of his wife and child, as well as his history of escaping The Jewish Holocaust must have changed his sense of right and wrong… the man needed love and help and not punishment.
Answers To The Key Pro-Polanski Rationalizations
1. This is what appellate courts are for.
2. This is what Statutes of Limitations address… and Polanski took the time issue off the table by fleeing the country. In addition, he has repeatedly chosen not to face the charges in the United States, even though there have been clear indications of the case leaning in his favor now.
3. The failure of Polanski and his attorneys to choose a jury trial over a plea is their own, not even the terrible judge in the original case… and certainly not the judicial system as a whole.
4. He is a great artist… but you have to be kidding. Some very intelligent and well-intended people are, amongst the ivory tower arrogant fools, supporting this man. Where were they when OJ – one of the greatest athletes in history – was on trial? Ya… they decided he was guilty before any evidence was offered in court and didn’t want him to have a fair trial either… they just wanted him put in the electric chair… because artists and intellectuals should be more influential on criminal law than the courts or lawyers or the facts.
5. As in, “she was asking for it?”
6. “The Girl” also got a cash settlement from Polanski years ago. And how many rape victims don’t want to move on with their lives? Do people realize how many women – of age and underage – never report their rapes to the authorities… how many never tell the people in their lives that are closest to them?
7. Tell it to the judge. They are called extenuating circumstances. And if the sentencing judge was acting illegally, tell it to the judge who overturns him. You don’t get a free pass because you have suffered.
And Woody Allen isn’t the best person to have in your corner. Soon-Yi anyone.
Manson had a rough childhood and as a result didn’t even kill anyone, nor did he drug and rape a 13 year old. FREE CHARLIE!
Very disappointed in the supposedly Catholic Marty. I take it Marty is absolutely fine with every single pedophile priest.
“That’s called democracy and JUSTICE”
Jutice was already served. Poeple like to forget that. Roman Polanksi was sentenced and the victim got a large settlement.
You can brag all day about how that’s the law and how that’s justice but that judge was abusing his power simply because he didn’t like Polanski. Polanski pled guilty and was given his time, time that he served. No one was asking for him to be given a larger sentence. Not the media, not the public, not the victim nor the victim’s family. They were obviously satisfied with the plea bargain. No one gave the judge the right to renege on his word.
Polanski knows what he did was wrong and I hope all this clears up because I seriously believe we have to be looking out for dangerous offenders in this country who are walking free but no one cares about them.
All these useless comparisons or analogies to Hitler and Manson hold no ground and they are far fetched and ridiculous.
Let him stay free! The world needs another Ninth Gate!
Another great Salon article to check out:
http://www.salon.com/mwt/broadsheet/feature/2009/09/28/polanski_arrest/
“Jutice was already served. Poeple like to forget that. Roman Polanksi was sentenced and the victim got a large settlement. ”
On the contrary, he fled before his sentencing. If you want to defend him at least get your facts right.
You know, when you yourself have been molested or raped – or someone you know, you see how it affects them for the rest of their lives. To me, defending him is saying to all those children yesterday, today and tomorrow that it’s ok if you are rich and famous. This is BS.
Would people have a problem with how the arrest was made (–or “abduction orchestrated”–) if this was Milosevic or Pinochet? I don’t think that they would. My point is that those raising this issue are making a moral judgment about Polanski and whether he deserves further punishment. Focusing on the arrest serves as a distraction designed to sidestep the difficult argument that a man guilty of rape should not have to face legal punishment for his crime.
Brett Ratner wants to direct a movie about this:
http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2009/09/29/brett-ratner-and-marina-zenovich-interested-in-documenting-roman-polanski-arrest/
Hasn’t Polanski suffered enough?
The only ones that are mentioning the words “celebrity” and “famous” are the ones that want to see him behind bars. I’m starting to think that’s the only reason people want to see him behind bars. They think it’s going to automatically send out a message the rich. If that happens, it would be an empty message because there will always be far worst cases. There are rich people in this country getting away with crimes as we speak. I think we need to open our eyes to more important issues that are happening and stop with Roman Polanski. If he were never arrested, we wouldn’t have anything to say about the matter and we would continue seeing Roman Polanski the artist because we all love film and this is a film site.
LOL Bastoche. How terrible.
Serious topic and all, but Bastoche at 86, your plea made me laugh REALLY loud. Brilliant.
Ugh….I can’t wait for this to be resolved so why can start discussing next year’s Best Picture winner “Precious”
Also, I don’t know what Sasha was responding too in her prior post because the email was already taken down. Obviously there is no reason to get personal arguing about things like this.
But Sasha makes the following argument: “But I have to ask one more question of you who believe Polanski “raped a child” – if he is given a sentence and serves it, what then? Do you really believe that his punishment will absolve him of guilt? ”
According to this argument we should never punish anybody, because punishing people will not absolve them of guilt. But that ignores that we punish people in our society because that is how justice is served. It is served based on complex rules and regulations, that attempt to be partially blind to things like celebrity and status. Polanski should be punished according to the rules of California whether or not that would “absolve him of guilt.” He should be treated the same way as any other criminal defendant. I think the people defending Polanski should take a serious look at our criminal justice system and how it operates before passing judgment that Polanski deserves an exemption from the process.
Wow, Afrika is really gone for good.
At least we can all thank Roman Polanski for this one.
What, Keith? Not invoking Hitler? Not even bin Laden? Adjusting the fine tuning on our mass murderer comparisons tonight? Now that you mention it, doesn’t the CIA have unmanned aerial vehicles that can fly under the radar and bomb the planet’s most evil inhabitants to kingdom come? In fact they’re called Predator Drones and shoot Hellfire missiles! Damnation! Missed opportunity, yeah?
I sincerely hope you haven’t been, KB, but I can give you my assurance on both counts that it doesn’t devastate everyone. Sasha had a full disclosure moment this morning, regarding a close relation, so I guess I should step up with a full disclosure too. I’m so close to the person in my own life who was raped and molested that we could almost be sitting the same chair right now. Circumstances are vague, because some episodes occurred when I was just a lad, and the other one involved drugs — but there’s one thing I’m certain of: In each instance, I know I played an active part in the “seduction” or whatever it was. And some of the memories are not exactly what I’d call traumatic.
So hey, just saying, before we all think we’re so certain what the deal is with Polanski, let’s remember that the only events in life we can ever be really sure about are those that we experience first-hand — and even then, it’s no easy thing to evaluate the effect.
* * * * *
(asterisks, so nobody accidentally conflates what’s above with what’s below.)
Pierre de Plume, my man. You don’t visit us nearly enough these days — and I know the sort of bickering we’re embroiled in here is one of the reasons. But gotta say thanks for that comment (in a related topic). Well done, sir.
“Well, since Geimer dropped the charges, everything is okay.”
If we used this logic all the time, then laws would cease to matter. Morals and values would be gone. I hate this case. It seems to make the argument that people who are rich can do whatever the fuck they want while poor people go to prison, rot, and die. This is not what we need! We need justice! The court system released him on the accounts of rape, not sex with a minor. We seem to completely forget this fact? And he fled! Fled for his sweet life and has been enjoying luxury ever since. Justice must prevail and no pity can save him; he is a grown man fully responsible for his actions.
Bet Roman’s pissed he didn’t pay off the mom back in ‘77. If she did try to get money from him, I’d love to know how much it was that he didn’t want to pay.
He drugged and raped a 13 year old girl. That’s absolutely outrageous! He should have be jailed twenty years ago and he needs to be jailed now.
Its the O.J Simpson argument….The system is corrupt so he should be let off. UGH
OJ!
[...] [...]
David Poland hit it right on the nose.
I’ve posted this great article about the “documentary” that people (Ryan) keep pointing towards as some sort of “facts” about the case.
http://www.salon.com/ent/feature/2009/02/19/roman_polanski_documentary/index.html
We’re in shit shape if David Poland is our moral authority.
. . . as opposed to Roman Polanski, John Landis and Woody Allen?
hey, Matt, I’m not pointing people to pompous Magna Cartas written by those guys.
I don’t know – I think the petition that you posted above and they signed was a pompous Magna Carta, but that’s just me
Ryan, have you even read the article I put up? I feel like you’re not even bothering to see the other side of this and are basing most of your opinion on this one documentary and your respect for Roman Polanski’s directing.
David Poland may not be a great “moral compass” but I agree with the points he made. Nothing wrong with that. You seem to be agreeing with Woody Allen on this issue. Is he a great “moral compass”?
What I have been observing is that you’re just picking arguments with people. Perhaps that’s because you have a weak argument to begin with.
(I grudgingly return your smiley, grr.) (ha)
Except the petition is a plea, and Poland’s piece reads like a decree — with all the MagnaCartary bullet-point clauses.
Two days ago Poland burned down Michael Moore’s doc by blaming the “greedy” struggling mortgage borrowers for last year’s meltdown.
I had no idea it was that bad for Sasha. We all disagree on things, but to threaten Sasha or Ryan in just insane.
that’s for the grudging (is that a word?) return. glad to see we can still have a little fun in this not-so-fun forum.
I’m not even arguing anymore Anna. I’m just trying to get up off the canvas occasionally so nobody calls a TKO before the bell rings.
yes, I read your article, and the one in Salon, and the other one in Salon. I like the Salon articles better than what Poland “wrote”.
Are we arguing, any of us? Isn’t the goal of an argument to sway the other side to make concessions? Do we think that’s gonna happen?
If Kobe has to face the law, then Roman has to. Why is this a debate again? Roman allegedly committed a crime. He believed the system was corrupt, so he opted to flee the country instead. If Roman was Spike Lee, I’m sure most of you would not defend him. That’s right, I’m pulling the race card.
“I had no idea it was that bad for Sasha. We all disagree on things, but to threaten Sasha or Ryan in just insane.”
KB, I’m going to pull this comment from moderation, even though you very diplomatically requested that it be deleted because you weren’t sure how much Sasha wants known. I think the reason Sasha took down the revolting email she got this morning was because she didn’t want to fan the flames any worse.
I’ll say that the situation behind the scenes deepened into increasingly shocking territory as the day wore on, so it became a matter of “we can’t comment on an ongoing investigation.” It’s turned into something more disturbing than you can imagine.
I really want to see this email. I’m intrigued.
I would liked to have seen this email too. I bet it would have turned the tables and possibly ended this discussion because that’s just crossing the line when people write nasty emails.
@ Ryan
“We’re in shit shape if David Poland is our moral authority.”
Know something about David we don’t?
I really can’t understand how anyone could garner any sympathy for Roman Polanski. He’s a vile, reprehensible, disgusting piece of trash who deserved to spend the rest of his miserable existence in a jail cell. This man drugged and raped a 13 year-old against her will, something his apologists like to gloss over as if he just happened to get caught smoking a joint. He’s a pedophile, there no room for ambiguity for this, no disputes this, no one questions this, even Polanski himself admits it.
He was able to negotiate a sweetheart deal with the DA’s office and when he found out that the judge was corrupt and he might actually have to serve some time for what he did, he ran away like a coward. The judicial system give individuals certain avenues to address whatever perceived wrongs may have been inflicted upon them. And although it’s far from perfect it doesn’t give Polanski the right to simply bypass the law altogether. He had countless opportunities to return to the U.S. and face his charges or make his grievances within the confines of the judicial system yet he chose to remain a fugitive, living abroad in the laps of luxury picking up awards along the way. The fact that he was able to escape punishment for so long doesn’t give him some reprieve for his crimes.
Anna, we’re all done arguing this – and the ugliness I’ve seen in people, well, I’d just as soon as forget it. Everyone has their own opinion, their own moral line, their own idea of right and wrong – I don’t think I read a single person who said what Polanski did wasn’t wrong. Not a single one – yet all of the anger and hatred for him has evolved into this gigantic, hideous beast. The crimes I read about every day, the horrors children suffer, the way women are beaten, burned and tortured all over the world – where is the outrage for this? No one cares. And yet this one case, this one man…it is truly bizarre. But when you suggest that Ryan isn’t looking at the other side? That’s baiting, yet more baiting. Haven’t we had enough?
Obviously this has sparked many different emotions and has brought out the worse in people. Hopefully we can stick to movies tomorrow
I agree with Yevette that we’ve successfully exhausted this subject, just as it has thoroughly exhausted us. In defense of our posting 4 angles on the Polanski story in the past 3 days, I’ll just point out that they’ve totaled 400 comments — and that, after shutting down the discussion entirely in 3 of those rooms.
To match that level of interest, we have to count back 25 posts before we accumulate 400 comments on posts strictly about movies. So… there you have it. We post what you guys are most eager to comment about. Until we can find a way to piss you all off about Where the Wild Things Are, that’s how it is.
Why not spend the next few comments here suggesting things we might have missed during this regrettable distraction, ok? That way I won’t have to think too hard when we start the day fresh tomorrow.
Meanwhile, wouldn’t it be great if everybody who’s taken time to comment about Polanski would go read Jennifer Boulden’s impeccably composed review of That Evening Sun. I know we haven’t seen it, and none of us knows much about the subject — but that didn’t stop us from commenting the hell out of this wrung-out subject, has it?
Thanks for all your patience, guys, seriously. We appreciate you holding your fired-up emotions in check as well as you have.
(And please try to remember, it’s not fair to hate me for my unpopular opinion unless you’re going to hate my boys Darren, David, Terry, Salman, Sam, Tom, Mike, Pedro, Marty and Kar Wai, too.)
What great civil libertarians you are, Sasha and Ryan. I mean, you’re really going to the mat to make sure that a guilty man isn’t sent to jail for a crime he actually committed.
I’m more upset about the constant New Moon updates. Isn’t this an Awards website? As I recall Twilight received a whooping zero nominations from the Oscars, BAFTA, Globes and Guilds combined. Do we have to keep looking at New Moon? I work in a bookstore and get enough of it at work.
“…you’re really going to the mat to make sure that a guilty man isn’t sent to jail for a crime he actually committed.”
How about you don’t give me and Sasha sole credit for setting Polanski free, Pete, and we won’t lay the blame at your feet if he dies in jail. Deal?
“The crimes I read about every day, the horrors children suffer, the way women are beaten, burned and tortured all over the world – where is the outrage for this? No one cares. And yet this one case, this one man…it is truly bizarre.”
Before you judge us, I don’t see you defending the innocent in prison. Please don’t speak for me or the others about how we feel about these issues of abuse around the worlds. We don’t have control over what happens around the world, but it does not mean we are not strongly against those acts. Speaking out on Awards Daily won’t make a difference in the world anyway. However, I will speak out against anyone here that tries to justify or diminish these acts you listed including the rape of a 13 year old. You are trying to justify him breaking the law and I have to speak out against it. He is not the only one that I have a problem with but he is the only one that has received so much support though he is guilty and avoided the legal system.
Please. Of course filmmakers would support one of their own. If he was anyone else nobody would give a crap.
I’m over this. You guys shouldn’t even have posted any of this in the first place.
To make sure my point is clear.
Before you judge us, I don’t see you defending the innocent in prison who also had unfair trials because of misconduct by prosecutor and judges.
Ryan,
Who said anything about Polanski “dying in jail”?
The reality is if Polanski was a school janitor or a Catholic priest, you wouldn’t have thought about the appropriateness of a jail sentence for two seconds.
So, the next time you find yourself talking about how wrong torture is, or speaking out against Blackwater, or whatever new war the GOP will start when they’re in the White House next, all someone has to say is “who cares, you didn’t want a child molester to go to jail because he was famous”.
You don’t realize this, because you’re just spoiling for a fight, but your credibility has taken a real hit. It’s a shame that you really don’t see this, Ryan.
Wow AUU, you really tried to stay clear of this discussion huh?
This has been three days of fun, but I think it’s time to get back to our Oscar race.
An Education opens in two weeks and EW’s Dave Karger interviewed Carey Mulligan about her possibly being our next Best Actress. You should post the interview Ryan.
“I don’t see you defending the innocent in prison who also had unfair trials because of misconduct by prosecutor and judges.”
As hundreds of people have helpfully pointed out over the past 3 days, AUU, this is a movie site with an Oscar slant. That’s why we typically only cover prison news that involves Oscar winners.
Ryan, let’s be fair, you’re not “covering” prison news. You’re “carrying water” for a man who raped a 13 year old girl while simultaneously insisting how principled you are.
And I’m confused as to who Ryan and Sasha have lost credibility with?
The bloggers like Jeff Wells who didn’t think very highly of them in the first place?
Or the people who seem to keep coming back here and commenting?
And Ryan’s view on 30 year old trial cases makes him lose credibility about film knowledge?
128. Actually, Ryan has credibility with his film knowledge. However, he has shown an incredible lack of character with his defense of a child rapist, something made all the worse by the fact that Ryan still seems to think that he is a principled individual. At the end of the day, Polanski’s stature as a filmmaker is driving his defenders’ opinions of his child rape more than the reality of Polanski’s child rape.
“…but your credibility has taken a real hit. It’s a shame that you really don’t see this, Ryan.”
I’m happy that I stood up for what I believed when it was the most unpopular thing I could have done, Pete, and I’ll start worrying about my credibility when the 17 Oscar nominees listed in the headline start worrying about theirs. Thanks for your “concern.”
Maybe you can focus less on monitoring the hundreds of posts I write 365 days a year, and ask yourself why 55% of your comments during the entire month of September have been obsessed with this one subject.
I’m fully aware of Polanski’s movies. Chinatown, The Pianist, I like them and will enjoy them. The guy is a international sensation. He might be charged unfairly but I support what the law enforcement is investigating just to make sure his criminal counts are valid or invalid. He’s also a celebrity, a person who can sometimes get away with a lot of things for such a small industry.
@ Ryan
“As hundreds of people have helpfully pointed out over the past 3 days, AUU, this is a movie site with an Oscar slant. That’s why we typically only cover prison news that involves Oscar winners.”
I agree with you. That’s the point I am trying to make. Sasha should not judge us as if Polanski is the only person in world we are against when he is the subject of discussion here.
Her words:
“The crimes I read about every day, the horrors children suffer, the way women are beaten, burned and tortured all over the world – where is the outrage for this? No one cares. And yet this one case, this one man…it is truly bizarre.”
Yeah, I’d be careful there, if I were you, Pete. Your tone sounds vaguely familiar. Lost credibility? As if. Don’t drag Ryan into this. Awards Daily, when it was Oscarwatch, took the same stance back when The Pianist was headed to the Oscars. The only that has changed are the IP addressed. Actually, come to think of it, the discussion was more civil back then. That has definitely changed.
“The reality is if Polanski was a school janitor or a Catholic priest, you wouldn’t have thought about the appropriateness of a jail sentence for two seconds.’
Oh you mean all of the Catholic priests who were caught molesting children ended up in jail?
“Before you judge us, I don’t see you defending the innocent in prison who also had unfair trials because of misconduct by prosecutor and judges”
Well you just haven’t been around here long enough.
I see what you mean AUU, but here again, we’re all taking this subject so personally, it’s as if we’re directly involved in this case. I, for one, refuse to continue until somebody gives me a Quaalude and some champagne.
Personally, I got the impression that what Sasha meant by “where is the outrage?” was a reaction to the way the Polanski story blew up to become the top story this week. Unble to turn on the TV without shrill shouting of ill-informed opinions (on both sides) and the blogs exploding with comments as if it’s Oscar night. 3000-4000 comments per story on HuffPo — and yet when is the last time anybody on HuffPo was worried about a fugitive from justice?
That’s how I took Sasha’s meaning. You came to another conclusion, and that’s fine (Just like that, a tiny example of vastly different interpretations of language. Much like a court case!) We’re all keeled over so far to edge on this subject we can see the middle anymore.
AUU, are we really going to go down this road? You have said it all before. We have said it all before. Why must it continue? There is going to be no give in either direction.
Sasha,
People were a lot nicer back then, I agree. I made a comment a while back about a movie I did not like and in a matter of minutes someone called me a f***ing idiot. Animosity in people is off the richter scale here. Not sure why.
So Michael Vick kills some dogs and rightfully goes to Prison but this guy drugs and rapes a 13 year old girl and all is forgiven. I guess Vick got hosed on this one since he was such a talented football player and made so many people happy he should have gotten off. And what’s the deal with Osama bin Laden. I heard he is classically trained in raping underage girls. We should call off the hunt and make him head of the UN. There are really no crimes, just mistakes that need to be forgiven. I mean really, that guy can really direct a film.
Vomit!!!!!!!
“I really can’t understand how anyone could garner any sympathy for Roman Polanski.”
I’ll give you a few reasons and then I’m done for the night. A trip to the police department to report a threat of violence over this is about all I can take. But here’s a thought – we all aren’t perfect. We do horrible things, unforgivable things, especially where drugs are involved. It was thirty years ago. It was a horrifying thing to do – the worst, almost, imaginable. Weirdly enough, some of the members of the Manson family were hoping for parole, giving the same argument – it was thirty years ago. But the Manson family murdered people. Polanski drugged and raped a young girl – I don’t think of 13 year olds as children so I won’t ever say “child.” She was a pre-teen to me. She was put in a bad situation by her careless, thoughtless mother. The mother and Polanski are to blame — not the girl. I would have expected her to excercize better judgment but when you’re young like that you think you have it all under control until suddenly you don’t. Still, you have to ask, how long is a person expected to pay for that crime? Polanski has, by all accounts, completely reformed. And isn’t that really the point of prison? All of this said I don’t think apprehending him was the wrong thing to do – if it followed the law I’m okay with it. If it brings him back here and the thing is at last settled, all the better.
Where the sympathy comes in is understanding what it must have been like to be Roman Polanski in the 1970s, when boundaries were blurred — but to be coming from the Tate murders, to have had your parents murdered by Nazis – I don’t know about you but I can’t imagine that. I don’t know how you become right in the head after all of that. Unfortunately, though, Polanski should have served his sentence and been done with it. He didn’t. So here we are. I hope it all comes to a close soon.
Kanye west got the same reaction for being rude. They are celebrities. It comes with the turf. You can hardly be surprised that his case gets more attention.
And Sasha and Ryan, you will lose your credibility when you start making the case for Megan Fox’s Oscar worthy performance in Jennifer’s Body. Until then we will just have to agree to disagree on this issue. Not that my opinion matters much anyway.
This is my last post on this issue I promise.
[...] are some new notable names, and the complete list. All of these people apparently feel that raping a 13 year old girl is OK, as long as you are a [...]
[...] Polanski’s case, many Hollywood luminaries, the government of France, and several of my friends on Facebook argue that the director has paid [...]
I don’t care if the girl’s mom told her to strip naked and get into his bed. Polanski is a grown man who made the choice to rape a child. Yes, a child. To defend him is unconscionable.
“I made a comment a while back about not liking Inglourious Basterds and in a matter of minutes someone called me a f***ing idiot.”
Maybe they were all Afrika with different names.
Osbourne Cox, 13 years old is not a child, underage but not a child. If the girl was 16 years old would you call her a child too?
And Osbourne Cox, you should worry about the security of your shit…
hahaha just a referential joke
“I don’t care if the girl’s mom told her to strip naked and get into his bed”
Now that’s just a sick thought. Anyways…
Free Polanski
Free Polanski
Free Polanski
Free Polanski
Free Polanski
Hell yes I would call a 16 year old a child but if we were talking about a 30 year old I would still want the man to fry.
“I have a drinking problem? Fuck you Peck, you’re a Mormon. Compared to you we all have a drinking problem.”
This age thing it’s kinda complicated. I met my girlfriend when she was 17 and I was 24 and we behave like a couple if you know what I mean and I don’t consider myself a pervert.
I forgot, pedophiles are attracted to children, not 13 year olds.
“Appearances can be… deceptive”
No one is “defending him.”
“who wouldn’t think about running when facing a 50-year sentence from a judge”
48 more days, not 50 years. I don’t understand why Geimer or anyone would want to perpetuate this myth.
From a motion filed by Polanski’s lawyer, Douglas Dalton (is there a more lawlerly name than that?):
“Judge Rittenband announced to counsel that he now intended to send Mr. Polanski
to prison for the second time under the following conditions: (1) that he serve 48 additional days in prison; (2) that he would not be permitted to have a hearing on this additional sentence; (3) that he agree to waive his rights to a deportation hearing and agree to “voluntarily deport himself;” and (4) that no hearing would be permitted until after the imposition of the prison sentence and that even more serious consequences could be expected if a hearing were held.”
…wait for it…
“I informed Mr. Polanski that Judge Rittenband intended to impose a second sentence upon him and require his deportation thereafter. Mr. Polanski left the United States the next day and has not returned since.”
Brilliant. What he did to himself is far worse than what the judge had in mind.
Very sweet story, Alfredo.
Word of advice: don’t honeymoon in Zurich.
Ryan,
I enjoy your movie commentary, but your response to my comment is nothing more than immature.
““…if this was Milosevic or Pinochet?”
What, Keith? Not invoking Hitler? Not even bin Laden? Adjusting the fine tuning on our mass murderer comparisons tonight? Now that you mention it, doesn’t the CIA have unmanned aerial vehicles that can fly under the radar and bomb the planet’s most evil inhabitants to kingdom come? In fact they’re called Predator Drones and shoot Hellfire missiles! Damnation! Missed opportunity, yeah?”
My point was not to equate Polanski with mass murders. My point was that your argument is not really about the method of “abduction” but is about the moral blameworthiness of Polanski. I agree with you, Polanski is a great man next to the mass murderers of this world. I only want to point out that it is not the method of arrest that you take issue with. If it were, you should sign this petition for Pinochet as well in similar circumstances. My guess is that you would not.
Sasha, you do realize that most murders have traumatic pasts right? We don’t let them skip their prison sentences.
I haven’t read much about this until the past day or two on awardsdaily so I come into this from a semi-neutral perspective. However, this doesn’t seem to be a very close argument. And I don’t think I’ve seen a single pro-Polanski argument that has logical coherency. I think Sasha and Ryan would do well to take a step back and reconsider their position. Then again, maybe I’m just closed minded and draconian. But I normally dissent when the criminal justice system is involved. This is just not one of those times.
Okay, don’t have sex with minors, including 13 yr olds. At what point is that acceptable? Would Martin be okay if someone did that to his daughter? The dude could have gotten off if he had not run. He should not be excused b/c famous people say it’s okay. Ask one of them to spend the time in prison. Also ask them to speak to a victim of the same crime. Lost all respect for those people.
Alfredo, did you just confess to having sex with a minor when you were 24? smh no wonder we have so many pro-rapists on this forum. We live in truly disgusting times. If this was Spike Lee how many of you would even care? fucking hypocrites.
P.S
A 13 year old girl is a fucking child; there’s no way around it.
[Do we need this kind of hate at Awards Daily anymore? Do we need someone who accuses another reader of being a rapist? This is why Afrika will soon be the first person ever permanently black-listed at AD. -- Ryan]
Maybe my reply sounded flippant to you, Keith, but I was making the point I wanted to make while trying to lighten to dour mood a little.
“If it were, you should sign this petition for Pinochet as well in similar circumstances. My guess is that you would not.”
Well, your guess would be incorrect. Because I do believe that the aggressiveness of the pursuit should match the severity of the crime. And that’s exactly why I brought up Predator Drones and bin Laden. Are Predator drones approved by the Geneva convention as a legitimate part of the judicial process? Not at all. Would I have any problem with using one to fire a missile between bin Laden’s legs? Not at all.
Switzerland for 30 years has had a laissez-faire attitude toward their extradition agreement with the US. Polanski knew that, and US officials knew he knew that. They no doubt hated they he was passing in and out of France
unmolestedunchallenged. So they used a new kind of leverage on Switzerland (threatened Internal Revenue probed of Swiss banks) to subvert Switzerland’s tradition of minding its own business, and took advantage of a cultural prize to use as bait to lure Polanski into a trap.Now it’s caused a rift between Switzerland, France, Poland and the US. It’s created an aura of slippery legal ethics around a prosecution still stinking from the taint of its last mishandling. And it’s given Europe a reason to hate America again.
For me, none of this international mess was worth abducting Polanski to drag us all through another show trial that most likely will not result in any more time served.
=====
So yeah, Keith, if they had to use these shady tactics and create such a hoopla to nab Pinochet or Milosovic or bin Laden, I’d say go for it. But Polanski’s crime is not on that scale, so your hypothetical situation has no relevance whatsoever. You might as well have compared Polanski to Global Warming or Cancer. Yes, please use any means possible to cure cancer! I don’t care if Europe throws a fit about American strong-arm tactics if we can cure cancer. But this charade is just a big ugly mess, typical of America’s reckless drive to achieve relatively skimpy results, at great diplomatic cost and by squandering good will.
So yes, Keith, no matter how hard you try to tell me and everybody that “it’s not the method of arrest you take issue with,” you happen to be dead wrong in your psychoanalysis, ok? I am not the kind of guy who wants to see America chase its tail with any more sloppy disregard for our ethical reputation. Not unless the payoff for making complete jackasses of ourselves is going to yield better results than the Iraq fiasco or the “boo! gotcha!” Polanski intervention. Big show, big expense, big mess — pitiful results.
Tell bin Laden he won a trip to Barbados to lure him out of his cave — I’m fine with that. Pulling some keystone cops shenanigans with Polanski for the sake of prosecutors embarrassment and bruised egos is an ugly incident. LA lost Polanski due to a careless fumble. (nobody thought to confiscate a passport, maybe?) Steamrolling Switzerland to create an international embarrassment doesn’t make LA look smart. It makes the prosecution look like sneaks and liars. Not what I want from my justice system.
How many more ways do I have to explain this?
Before this thread gets closed…
If you Google “oscar-winning director charged with rape” you’ll get someone else entirely.
Ryan, I see your point about how the severity of the crime and the means used to pursue the criminal are linked. I agree with you that arresting Polanski is not worth screwing up relations with the French and Swiss. I doubt that this has hurt America’s reputation or our relationships with those countries, but I have no firsthand knowledge about either of those issues. So my difference of opinion with you may mostly be about what has happened on the ground in regards to international relationships. Nevertheless, my hypothetical comparison does have relevance because it shows that your moral judgment about Polanski is intricately related to your opinion about the arrest.
Further, and more importantly, the distress over Polanski’s arrest seems to be more about Polanski than about these international relationships. Your response supports this by referring to Polanski’s knowledge of Swiss-U.S. extradition agreements, which has no relevance to the debate about whether the arrest was bad because of its affect on U.S.-swiss-French relations. To bring it up leads to the inference that you are less concerned about international relationships than about “fairness” to Polanski. I’ll take you at your word that you are against the arrest because of the international mess that you believe it created. But this idea that some crime was committed against Polanski because they trapped him or because he didn’t think he would be arrested in Switzerland is one of the things that has bugged me the most about this debate. It’s like arguing that a convicted criminal only has to go to jail if they surrender themselves. Polanski has been convicted of a crime in the United States and has been apprehended using legal means. Therefore, I do not think he can claim any unfairness over his arrest. If you want to say, I disagree with the way this was done, I think that it was not worth jeopardizing international relationships, fine. But “free Polanski” or “petition FOR Polanski” is totally out of line with that stream of thought.
Afrika = the first person ever permanently black-listed at AD
Word?
I’m glad we’re able to get this close to understanding each other, Keith. Even if we won’t ever agree about the bigger picture, what does that matter? I think I’d hate myself if I agreed with everybody all the time, and I’m sure you feel the same way.
But please try to remember the topic of this post was the petition, and the very first quote I pulled from the petition addresses the diplomatic issues and concerns about the safe interaction of filmmakers across borders.
I don’t know what people mean when they say “Free Polanski!” I haven’t said that. But The Petition for Polanski was very carefully worded to focus on concerns of filmmakers who have reasonable expectations that they won’t be lured into a false sense of security, only to have the tables turned and the rules changed. It’s especially dispiriting to me because this is exactly the same reason Polanski freaked out and ran off in 1977. He’s promised one thing, and then that promise is revoked for the sake of the unstable egos of the justice officials.
Mr. Ryan Adams,
you are a self-righteous HYPOCRITE. You know it, I know it.
[We're working on a way block Afrika without deleting every comment she ever made. I hate to do that. I overestimated the number. It's closer to 700, but that's still a lot of typing to lose. Seems a shame, so I'm trying to eliminate the trolling more surgically. Not really sure why I'm bothering. 220 comments just got blown into nothingness though. Because we can't have this daily disruption any longer. Blame yourself Afrika. You've had months of warnings. Try finding a new home on the IMDb boards. Lots of hateful people there.]
I’d like to point out that the international reaction to this might not be so anti-American.
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/30/movies/30polanski.html
Doesn’t happen. Give one example. Once I mentioned to someone that we’re happy to have more Eastern European readers, and she offered the information that she was writing from Istanbul. Another time we had someone who was faking multiple back-patting conversations with himself by signing in with a lot of nicks and pretending to be mutual admiration society of 4 or 5 people. I asked him to please stop that, and he did. He’s been a great contributor ever since.
hey, if you don’t care about anything you’ve ever written, why should I? Did you forget we had the backto1960 conversation twice already? Once on January 26th, when you had only been backfromyour1960 exile for a few weeks, and I was trying to give you some encouragement. And again just last month, I dropped you this reminder.
Every movie blog and every news blog on the internet has had a Polanski debate this week. It’s been tough for some of us, but it’s drawing more comments than anything we’ve posted all month.
You’ll have to go someplace else to find your Beyonce fix. The sooner the better.
You think it’s hard now. In a few hours you’ll see how it feels to be homeless.
When I try, you’ll know it. Right now I’m sort of enjoying watching you make a final flaming fool of yourself.
Ryan Adams
I tried laughing at your shabby response but it weren’t funny so I didn’t. Sorry.
Don’t get me started on your double standard when it comes to posters. Certain readers here notorious for causing trouble. I won’t name names but they know themselves and of course, they get a free pass for you. Advertizers? maybe. Let’s not forget the number of instances in which you persecuted impostors. However, when the Afrika impersonators were on the loose, you never bothered to do anything. As we know now, you enjoyed it.
I could go on and on but I rather not. I will go somewhere else for my BEYONCE FIX. At least Beyonce is classy enough not to defend a pedophile. Once again, try harder BITCH!!!!!!
Ryan Adams
I tried laughing at your shabby response but it wasn’t funny so I didn’t. Sorry.
Let’s add liar to your list of fallacies. You want to back peddle on releasing information of AD readers on this forum? lol, truly laughable. You have done it on so many occassions, I think I’ve lost count. You even did it to me in a bid to ridicule me during an argument. We were talking about U.S politics and you said why am I living in Minnesota if I hate America so much. Your aim of course failed because my mother is indeed American. A lot of readers criticized you for that but as usual, you pulled out the “defense” card and acted all self-righteous.
Don’t get me started on your double standard when it comes to posters. Certain readers here notorious for causing trouble. I won’t name names but they know themselves and of course, they get a free pass for you. Advertizers? maybe. Let’s not forget the number of instances in which you persecuted impostors. However, when the Afrika impersonators were on the loose, you never bothered to do anything. As we know now, you enjoyed it.
I could go on and on but I rather not. I will go somewhere else for my BEYONCE FIX. At least Beyonce is classy enough not to defend a pedophile. Once again, keep trying harder BITCH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Afrika the way you’re fizzling out is almost pitiable. Are you quite alright tonight? You outed yourself as a student in Minnesota a few months ago. ok, you don’t say outright that you’re at a Minnesota college, but we were led to believe you went back to your “homeland” this summer. Then you come back and you’re referencing Minnesota. I know how culture shock can be returning to the states, so I let you rant that day.
Guess what? Most readers don’t tell me to go fuck myself, Afrika. I’m inclined to be nice and do favors for people here if we have a good online relationship. I have dozens of good buddies here at AD. (To borrow your phrase, they know who they are.)
I’m pretty busy, so unless I felt there was a crisis, I wasn’t in any hurry to rescue you from a mess of your own making. Maybe if you hadn’t made it your hobby to come around and sneer at me and other readers on a daily basis, then I could have stepped up to intervene when the tide started to turn against you. But if you don’t have any friends here, is that our fault?
Your black-listing can be undone, by request. You’ll have to contact me by email though, since all the addys you’ve ever used (hundreds of them) are false. But seems like you’re determined to set fire to all your bridges on the way out.
Not with a bang but a whimper? Is that you plan, Afrika?
Keith, it is a trap because no matter what you say people think you are condoning the rape of a 13 year old. There really is just no way around it – he should have been given a real trial, not dicked around by the judge, and gone to prison – served his sentence. You know what, though? Even if he had the public wouldn’t forgive him. It’s something that can’t be taken back because the details of the case or so horrific, reading them back through today’s eyes especially, they seem even more so. I’ve spent WAY too much time on this crap, though. It’s time to get back to the business of real life. What I do still believe is that all of this is misplaced anger and rage. And I’ll always believe that. That guy who committed that crime is not the same person now. I also firmly believe the whole incident should never have been constructed. Finally, I think Polanski was in a downward spiral at that time and if it hadn’t been Samantha Geimer it would have been someone else. These are all conflicting feelings and ideas. I can’t always make sense of them. But an angry mob usually does no good anyway and it’s never placed where it should be. That much I do know.
I feel it´s very difficult (maybe impossible) for me to switch right now to another topic and discuss best supporting actor or something.
Since I was young (ok, I´m not really old, but not young anymore) and became intrested in movies I was enthusiasted in a special way by Polanskis work, “Chinatown”, “Rosemaries Baby”, “Dance of the Vampires”, “Repulsion” (and later: The Pianist, of course)and so on and so on. He became my favourite director and is still my favourite director.
That´s one point. Another one: I read Polanskis autobiography in the early 90´s and was quite fascinated by him. He is far from embellishing the things he did.
I don´t mention those things to relativize what he did. He did a huge mistake, but still he is one of quite few celebreties I do care about (I´m not that crazy about stars and gossip and this stuff). I like him very much, although he is a conflicting person.
I just hope he gets released soon, but I do have a terrible and quite depressing feeling this case will end probably as negative as many of Polanskis movies.
I just hope the best for you, Roman! And nice to see, so many colleagues of you do feel the same.
I hate to respond to Afrika, but in comment #156 she is simply misinformed. Alfredo didn’t “confess” to anything. In the majority of states, the legal age of consent is 16 or 17, not 18. Common misconception.
In the 2003 article, the victim says: “The one thing that bothers me is that what happened to me in 1977 continues to happen to girls every day, yet people are interested in me because Mr. Polanski is a celebrity. That just never seems right to me. It makes me feel guilty that this attention is directed at me, when there are certainly others out there who could really use it.”
The infamy of this case is all the more reason why he should not be allowed to go without proper punishment. Pedophiles hearing people saying that he should not serve his full punishment, hearing the victim say that it hurt her but did not destroy her, will think that there is support for them & what they do in the world community. Victims, today, will think that the things done to them were ‘not that bad’ or even ‘OK’.
They are bad. It is not OK.
I am FOR Polanski. The alleged victim IS FOR Polanski. He was being given a VERY unfair trial. Its been 31 years. Want to do JUSTICE, Americans? Bring George W Bush to the Haia international courts, as he violated MANY international laws and is a WAR criminal. Want justice, America? Prosecute OJ Simpson, clearly a multiple murderer. Want justice, America? How about Rodney King’s aggressors? Want justice, America? How about helping dictators in South America for DECADES?
Americans trying to do “justice” to Polanski. Makes me VOMIT.
Tufas
Tufas,
The problem is that we individually shouldn’t get to pick and choose who gets justice. In a perfect world, we should go after all criminals. Just because we can’t or don’t, doesn’t mean that certain people should be exempt from justice. Once you start exempting people, it makes it that much easier to exempt other powerful and influential people. OJ was prosecuted and found not guilty. Roman probably would have been too if he had stood trial. He fled the country. Would you be up in arms if OJ had fled the country before prosecution? Of course, and you should be.
The “moral objectivity” for which the left prides itself only works until it finds itself offended, at which point it finds a way to say, “Well that’s not what I meant, you just aren’t smart enough (or educated enough, or knowledgeable enough about the topic) to understand.”
Let me just say, to all of you who defend Polanski on ANY grounds: We know who you are- you signed the petition. You’re all despicable and subhuman, and if you come near either of my daughters, I will beat you unconscious.
“Let me just say, to all of you who defend Polanski on ANY grounds: We know who you are- you signed the petition. You’re all despicable and subhuman, and if you come near either of my daughters, I will beat you unconscious.”
Yeah, because every person that defends Polansky is a pedophile, good thinking. What are you going to do now? Burn crosses? Hunt witches?
It’s clear many here have no idea what it means to be a child who has been molested, raped or abused against their will. The effects are far reaching, life long and affect EVERY area of one’s life. It affects current and future relationships, ones soul, spirit, and mind.
It does NOT matter if the victim says it was ok.
It does NOT matter if they say we should let it go.
It does NOT matter if they say their abuser should be released.
I’m disgusted by a society that refuses to defend its children in every possible manner available to them.
Polanski drugged and raped a child, pled guilty, and then fled the country.
IT DOESN’T MATTER IF HE THOUGHT HE WAS GOING TO RECEIVE AN UNFAIR SENTENCE!!!
The fact is he never stuck around to find out so that makes him a fugitive. My personal emotional opinion, knowing first hand the devastating effects of rape is he should have received life in prison. But our emotions and personal opinion are of no consequence in this matter.
Bring him back to the states and let him be sentenced for the crimes of which he has been convicted.
@173, Chris Phillips:
Chris writes: “The ‘moral objectivity’ for which the left prides itself only works until it finds itself offended, at which point it finds a way to say, ‘Well that’s not what I meant, you just aren’t smart enough (or educated enough or knowledgeable enough about the topic) to understand.’”
Chris then goes on to say: “Let me just say, to all of you who defend Polanski on ANY grounds: We know who you are–you signed the petition. You’re all despicable and subhuman, and if you come near either of my daughters, I will beat you unconscious.”
Umm, Chris? I don’t think the left has to imply anything about your level of intelligence. You’re doing a fine job of that on your own.
I’d like to hear anyone try to rationally justify the release of Roman Polanski rather than just express emotion or fan-love. He raped a 13-year-old girl. If you think it wasn’t really rape, you either haven’t read the description that 13-year-old girl gave after the fact, or you for some reason don’t believe her. Fleeing the country to escape prosecution is itself a serious crime, and it doesn’t absolve him of his previous crime. In fact, if he’s brought back, he should be sentenced for fleeing the country in addition to child rape. Don’t feel sorry for him, he got to live freely for 30 years, win an Oscar, and live in Paris until the age of 76, without ever serving the prison sentence he deserved. I understand being lenient and not giving him a super long sentence (like, maybe just give him 5 years, which would be very light), but there’s no way he doesn’t deserve some kind of punishment.
And by the way, the fact that the victim now says she doesn’t want to see him prosecuted is irrelevant. A victim of a crime doesn’t get to decide whether or not the perpetrator is prosecuted. It’s a criminal case, not a lawsuit. And there’s a reason for this, and it has to do with public safety. Victims of child sexual abuse don’t get to decide that the predators who victimized them should run free. It’s in the interest of public safety and in the interest of justice that rapists and child molesters be prosecuted, regardless of how compassionate the victim turns out to be. And that’s not just my opinion, that’s actually how the system works.
If you really want to put this into perspective, forget that this is a director whose work you love. And stop thinking about this as an anonymous victim. Imagine how you would feel if you found out your 13-year-old daughter had been drugged and raped by a 44-year-old man. If that were my daughter, I wouldn’t want to see him prosecuted, I would want to find him and physically kill him. I would have to restrain myself to let the justice system run its course. And you would too. And if it turned out the 44-year-old man who raped my 13-year-old daughter was actually an “acclaimed film director”….wanna know how much of a difference that would make? ZERO. Especially after his way of showing remorse is to say something along the lines of, “Doesn’t everyone want to f*** young girls?”
[...] We’re Keeping A List: Here’s a list of Free Roman Polansky [...]
they’re gonna get this guy, he can fight and fight and drag it out all he wants, but it would have been easier if he had just owned up to it 30 years ago and spent the year or two in prison.
He will be extradited, he will be convicted, and theres gonna be a HUGE huge circus, another circus chapter in the wild and tragic life of Polanski.
And oh yea, he should go to prison
I am shocked so many are taken aback by his arrest. Polanski provoked his own arrest by having his U.S. lawyers file motions to dismiss the case based on the fact that California had basically ceased trying to have him detained in the past. The doofus then announces on the internet that he will be leaving France to accept an award. This is arrogance on a scale not often seen. Only someone totally convinced he did nothing wrong would ever act in such a manner. Raping a 13yo child is WRONG.
Bring him to CA, then throw the book at him.
Polanski traveled to Switzerland many times before without issues. The only reason he was stopped now was because it was known he would be attending the Zurich film festival. That certainly wasn’t going to be a secret seeing how he is their lifetime achievement award recipient. So to say he was provoking his own arrest is sort of ridiculous.
JR (181): Try re-reading 180. You failed in your retort. Nice try though
This is not a difficult situation to resolve, put Roman back into the legal system and let the Justice System decide his fate. I realize that he is upset that his chances for a free ticket out of jail are unrealistic, but so was his behavior when he molested a child and fled the country.
Let’s not debate the morality of the victim or the merits of Mr. Polanski’s films, that is not germane to the issue at hand. I saw wanted and desired and it was clearly a pro Polanski documentary meant to elicit a positive feeling towards Roman and his plight.
Sasha, I understand that you want to put this topic to rest but there was one thing in your post that I would like to respond to. That is the comment that “he should have been given a real trial.”
Polanski had a right to a real trial, the reason why he was not given one was because he waived that right. By entering a guilty plea he specifically waived the right to a trial. Even if he was dicked around with by the judge, what he had to deal with was much better than the common criminal defendant (–I note that it has been called into question whether there was any wrongdoing by the judge: http://blogs.wsj.com/law/2009/09/30/marcia-clark-marcia-clark-throws-twist-into-polanski-matter/). The point is, that even if the worst thing alleged happened, Polanski was a well off individual represented by the best lawyers. He made an informed decision to plead guilty. And my understanding is that being informed means Polanski knew that the Judge could depart from any agreement made between himself and the prosecutor regarding a sentence. That is, while Polanski could only be sentenced on the count he pled guilty to (not the rape and sodomy counts), the judge could still give him the maximum sentence for that count even if the prosecution only requested probation. This contrasts with the average criminal defendant who is represented by no counsel or inadequate counsel and is subject to the tricks of the prosecutor. Such a defendant does not even have a right to see evidence that could exonerate him before pleading guilty. Such a defendant would also get no refrain from being sentenced, and few would protest if he were captured and sent to be sentenced after fleeing.
My point is that Polanski did not really get a raw deal. Maybe the justice system should be better, but he had things way better than most criminal defendants. This debate may never have happened if Polanski had had a trial, but we shouldn’t forget the reason why he did not have a trial.
Salman Rushdie??? Debra Winger? You’ve got to be kidding me.
Get ready for the biggest boycott on Hollywood that you have ever seen.
[...] Polanski was arrested in Zurich, producer Harvey Weinstein started a petition to free the 76-year-old [...]
[...] Now, thirty years later, he’s been nabbed in Switzerland. He’ll be extradited and sent to prison if all goes well. Some Hollywood types seem to think drugging and raping a thirteen year old girl’s not that big a deal. The primary person who feels that way is, get this, Woody Allen. Here are some of the others on that list: [...]
[...] plus important artsy people who think that Polanski should not stand trial for raping Gailey here. There are also some interesting comments on that page, which I’ll return to in a second. [...]
I am sure that all of those distinguished individuals listed are more than willing to allow their 13 year old child to be drugged, molested and sodomized without prosecuting the offender!! I wont be going to the movies anytime soon!
“I wont be going to the movies anytime soon!”
Why do I get the feeling you have’t gone to the movies anytime recently either, Bob?
I’d like to point out, for those keeping score at home, whenever we post an article about Creationism, Michael Moore, or Roman Polanski, about 50% of the people who feel compelled to comment have never been heard from around here before.
It’s like $1 beer night at the Metropolitan Opera House. No, more aptly: it’s like a town hall meeting about health care reform.
Robert (176) replied, regarding my comment that anyone of you Hollywood types who tried to drug and rape my kids would get a beating: “Umm, Chris? I don’t think the left has to imply anything about your level of intelligence. You’re doing a fine job of that on your own.”
I didn’t accuse the left of impugning my intelligence, Robert, I impugned the morality of the left. I then offered my solution to a problem that the US and California courts are apparently unable to solve. While my solution is barbaric, and not at all in keeping with the tenets upon which our country was based, I hope it will act as a deterrent in case any of you Hollywood types come sniffing around. I guess you thought I cared about your opinion, Robert.
Oh, and BTW to Ryan Adams (190): Those 50% you’ve never heard of don’t give a shit about Hollywood until it starts to seep into civilized society.
“Those 50% you’ve never heard of don’t give a shit about Hollywood until it starts to seep into civilized society.”
Then I guess we can be proud that we’re distracting members of “civilized society” from their usual pastimes of murdering census takers in eastern Kentucky, locker-room broomstick gang rape, and beating the shit out of black kids with steel pipes the night Obama was elected.
Civilized Society, heal thy fucking self.
You’re right- you won me over with that reasoned argument. Thanks.
Oh, sorry, CP.
That wasn’t up to the standards of your refined thesis,
“Hollywood: Root of all Evil. Rest of the country: Last Bastion of Morality” ?
It’s given Europe a reason to love America, because we don’t let rapist get away with it!
Child abuse has serious consequences, 30 years later, even generations later!
[...] looks like half of the film industry has come out in his defense. Filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and David Lynch, who never get involved in public debate, have [...]
We must set him free! Based on the abomination that was the Dred Scott decision how can we do otherwise? Also what about Sacco and Vanzetti?
(By the way, I LOVED the earlier mention of “Debra Winger-haters”! Just how big a subset is that?)
I’ve been off this board pretty much since the Oscars in Feb. And I was late in finding out there was even a petition to free Polanski (yesterday). But I have to say that I am FLABBERGASTED by the number of people, famous and not, here and elsewhere, who actually believe that Polanski should be freed. Yes, the judge in the case probably had his own agenda, and now one of the early prosecutors is saying that he LIED in the “Wanted and Desired” documentary about influencing the judge. This whole thing is a hot mess. But none of that changes the fact the Roman Polanski PLED GUILTY to raping a 13-year-old girl. And Sasha, the fact that you and some others don’t consider a 13-year-old to be a “child” (which is another discussion for another time) has no relevance. Then and now, 13 is under the legal age of consent in California. So even if Samantha Geimer said “Yes, Roman. TAKE ME!!” and stripped naked, it’s still statutory rape. Period. The fact that he drugged and sodomized her after she repeatedly said no just makes the crime even more tawdry and brutal. None of those facts have been disputed. I don’t really care that Geimer wants it to go away. I understand that she’s probably exhausted by all of this coverage and wants to put it behind her (which a half-million dollar settlement apparently helps you to do), but it’s not her call. Polanski committed a crime against the state of California, and he never paid for that crime. If he wasn’t an Oscar-winning “auteur,” we would not be having this discussion. And I am saddened by all of the people who signed the petition, esp. Frears, Soderbergh, Aronofsky, Demme and (heart breaking…) Sam Mendes. I just thank God that Oliver Stone and Paul Greengrass aren’t on that list; I would have to start taking anti-depressants. And the WOMEN on the list — Tilda Swinton?! Natalie Portman?! Kristin Scott Thomas?!! Monica Bellucci, who made her name in the international film world by being BRUTALLY RAPED in “Irreversible?!!” Sorry, they just need to be slapped. I don’t think I can pay money to see any of their movies again. Because as far as I’m concerned, by signing that petition, they are basically saying that even in the 21st century, women are chattel – the property of men who have no power and no sexual rights of their own.
Ryan Adams,
And oh, how I love the singer who is Ryan Adams. Who in the world are you?
But your reasoning is flawed. Hollywood would rightly condemn the Haitian American who is brutalized and sodomized in Queens by a gang of cops. Hollywood would rightly condemn the Catholic priests who molested and raped young boys…
But condemn someone of an equally egregious crime from your own elite camp? No way! Can’t do it!
You try and paint the divide as being between hipsters on the left and cow tippers on the right but it is much bigger than that. I live on the east coast, I used to live in the trendiest parts of brooklyn and I am an artist. And I am telling you – there are many here in the creative class who are tired of the misogyny coming out of Hollywood and this Polanski support is the grossest of examples.
There’s a lot of talk and believe me when I say most of us in the artsy fartsy I’m-too-sexy-for-my-glasses NYC and wider subculture is horrified by the Hollywood response and support of Polaski. We are starting to look down on you now and we are starting to speak back.
So go ahead and make fun of the midwesterners. I don’t know any and you can create whatever good vs. evil scenario that you like.
But this is much, much bigger than that, Ryan.
“…you can create whatever good vs. evil scenario that you like”
Nope, I was just lampooning ChrisPhilips’ comments at 192 & 193. He’s the guy with the solution to Hollywood Evil — a solution that he himself describes as “barbaric.”
It was ChrisPhilips who proudly says, “I impugned the morality of the left.”
So while you’re taking sides, Alison, I was defending the state of California, Hollywood, and “the left” against getting our collective ass whipped by a loudmouth, and I was using a gross parody of his own logic to do it.
Just to be clear, Alison, if you’re “on the left,” then I was trying to defend you.
“You try and paint the divide as being between hipsters on the left and cow tippers on the right…”
Wrong again. I was mocking ChrisPhilips for drawing those lines in the simplistic sands on the border of California.
“So go ahead and make fun of the midwesterners.”
I am a midwesterner. If you think I live in Hollywood, then that’s the 3rd or 4th wrong assumption you made about what I wrote.
The incessant regional stereotyping here is inane and misleading. I happen to be an East Coast intellectual (I read Proust…does that count?), liberal, Jewish opera-goer. Which adds up to nothing, because there are certainly many who fit that description who are fine, upstanding citizens and many who are rank degenerates.
Moreover I’d say that there are cosmopolitan, well-read Topekans and reactionary, close-minded Manhattanites.
My point? A parochial, pigeon-holing approach to this case is the height of inanity.
All that I need know is that this monster BY HIS OWN ADMISSION had sex with a 13-year-old girl. I don’t care what an actor, director or grip tells me to think so that their precious flower be spared justice. Orson Welles himself could rise from the grave and tell me that Polanski transcends our tawdry notions of good and evil and I’d respond that the fact scum like Polanski is allowed to breathe is mercy enough for him.
I’ll accept that some of the celebrities who signed did so to protest his arrest at the film festival, which they believe should be sacrosanct and free of political maneuvering and reprisals. I’ll accept that they are not trying to ‘let him off the hook’ for the crime to which he pled guilty some thirty-odd years ago.
I’ll accept that, even though most of the debating has come around to “But it was so long ago,” and “The victim has already forgiven him,” which are indeed arguments for letting him walk and have nothing to do with the petition. I’ll accept it even though Weinstein’s call to arms was about protecting this great man, and had not a thing to do with film festivals…
The problem with the petitioners’ argument is that regardless of the reason Switzerland chose now to act, Polanski is NOT a political prisoner. He’s not being extradited to North Korea to be tried for being a dirty imperialist sympathizer. He was not jumped outside of a safe house and smuggled out of the country to be tossed into a dirty third world cell, strapped to a car battery and ‘interrogated.’ He is being legally extradited to the US to face legitimate charges that he has been ducking for years–again, charges to which he already pled guilty and discussed in the media.
If well-respected indie filmmaker Joe Blow kills his girlfriend and her family in a fit of rage, does he still get to attend all the European film festivals? This petition would make Sundance and Cannes a movable cathedral in which any film maker could seek sanctuary, regardless of the crime. THAT bit of hubris galls me. There is nothing so sacred about the film makers’ art that they are suddenly exempt from the laws of the secular world or from taking responsibility for their actions.
For all the posturing, they are NOT trying to protect this Chinese documentary maker or that Sri Lankan director from political reprisal. They are protecting a popular European director from the legal repercussions of his own actions.
Alison, you’re a fucking moron, and considering your description of yourself, I unfortunately think I know who you are (ugh), and your self-righteous TRIPE is typical of the “NY intellectual” I think you are (even have an idea of your last name, but I won’t go there). PATHETIC! Any REAL artist who would boycott a GREAT artist (and, let’s face it, at least a dozen of the tons of names in that list are WAAAAAY more talented than most of you snobs, duh!) because they disagree with you on a political, emotional, or moral decision (if you wanna get self-righteous, which, along with the smell of your own farts, is what gives you anti-Hollywood intellectuals your super powers) is an EMBARASSMENT to the entire arts community, which I care more for and HAVE done more for than you could ever dream of!
So you’re boycotting Hollywood? OH NO! THE HUMANITY!
But all is not doomed…do NOT panic Hollywood! There is STILL a chance you won’t have to sell your mansions or give up your kids to Angelina Jolie when this overpowering, all-consuming boycott begins! You will have someone to save you from the all-powerful East Coast Snob League Of Avengers when I move there early next year! I will put a stop to this much-feared boycott which (god forbid) will cost more money to Hollywood than the strike and put another painful dent on the US economy. I’m respected in NY, and let’s just say I’ve been in a lot of Alison’s buddies closets, and there were so many skeletons in there they fell on top of me when I opened it!
So relax, Hollywood, this may YET prove not to be your end. I just need an equally cool superhero name to combat the ECSLOA. Maybe I’ll call myself “Super PolanskI Defender.” I’m really NOT that much of a Polanski defender (more a defender of his defenders, because I don’t have to despise or boycott someone I’ve admired for years just because they disagree with me on a touchy issue), but you know that will be a powerful way to lure them into a trap (they’ll probably come with torches and baseball bats, buahahaha) where I can take them all down and save the day!
So to save you the trouble later, you poor embattered, boycott-impaired industry, I’ll just say it now: YOU’RE WELCOME!!!
Xander, you’re nuts. And not in an endearing, curmudgeonly way. Just plain hyperventilating fucking nuts.
No actually, I couldn’t be more sane. Any retard who would boycott a filmmaker because he disagrees with them on an important issue is fucking nuts. And hyperventilating? That’s rich coming from a member of Polanski’s foaming at the mouth, perspective-less lynch mob of NUTS!
Aren’t you the people who’ve been swarming every IMDB page of a celebrity who signed the petition to not only insult them personally in vile ways, but also their fans or anyone who (gasp!) refuses to engage in this childish boycott? Aren’t you the nuts who sent Sasha that lovely e-mail? But I’M nuts? Which one of Alison’s asshole friends are you? If I knew her (and I’m 80% sure I do) I probably know you too!
btw, douchebag, anyone with half a brain knows I was being sarcastic in my “superhero” scenario, if that’s why you’re calling me nuts. But if it’s just because I disagree with you DERANGED FUCKING PSYCHOS (more on attacking his defenders than on Polanski himself) than you call me nuts, well then that’s a badge of honor.
“Aren’t you the people who’ve been swarming every IMDB page of a celebrity who signed the petition to not only insult them personally in vile ways, but also their fans or anyone who (gasp!) refuses to engage in this childish boycott?”
(a) No.
(b) That sentence is WAY too long.
As to people disagreeing with me, they do that all the time. I enjoy controversy, which is why I visit rightwing sites. They warm my blood.
As to you, aside from the fact you’ve committed your energy to defending the hide of deviant scum you might well be a wonderful human being. Well, except for the hysterical, colorful, spastic vituperation. And the fact that you seem to believe you have superpowers that let you know the identity of strangers posting on anonymous boards.
Does your friend Alison know any stockbrokers in Miami? Then you probably DO know me.
Sounds like the local police where these petition signers live, should watch these people carefully and keep them from minors.
i think it is so ironic that woddy allen dared to sign this thing.
Folks, he was 43 and she was 13 and under the influence when he banged her. She then cried rape, he plead down pleading guilty to sex with a minor and then he fled the US criminal justice system, skipping bail when he thought the deal was going to be broken.
He banged a 13 year old girl when he was a rich famous 43 year old director.
Martin Scorsese…sigh…I am Dissapoint.
This clusterfack made me spontaneously go and buy Luc Besson’s movie ‘Taken’ starring Liam Neeson on BR. FIGHT THE POWAH Luc Besson.
This is how it NEEDS to GO DOWN! The lovely Roman Polanski NEEDS “13″ YEARS for the years of her age.
He stole her youth and paid her $$$..SO WHAT! He wrecked a childs life. No matter how she acted it was “a act” when one is “13″ so he KNEW BETTER and just took the cherry and did not care, So now that he got caught after “RUNNING AWAY”…HE SHALL pay with what will be the “BIG PAY OFF”…So now he can have the TIME OF HIS LIFE!!!! Thinking what he did and allowed others to follow his LEAD!!! Shame that people support this behavior…What if she were your “13″ year old child…. or a niece or a neighbor kid? This was always a “sick man” which we should
pity not make him a STAR! SHAME SHAME on MR.R.P.
Luis, your comment reveals how ignorant you are of the facts of the case. She had a 17-year-old boyfriend that she was routinely having sex with at 13 (!) and was not a virgin by any means. Really, find something else in your life worthwhile and choke on your hate.
JP, help me out here: the fact the girl wasn’t a virgin provides Polanski immunity from a rape conviction? You’re SURE of that?
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