Switzerland’s reputation of being “neutral” does not ring true when it comes to enforcing American warrants. This weekend, Oscar Winning Director Roman Polanski was finally arrested for charges that were brought in America over thirty years ago; charges that Polanski had sex with a 13 year old girl.
Allegedly, Polanski asked the young girl and her mother if he could photograph her for the French edition of Vogue magazine. Polanski then reportedly asked the girl to change clothes in front of him during an initial photo shoot and then, during a second shoot, gave her champagne and drugs and proceeded to engage in the purported acts. That led to his being charged with rape and sodomy, among other things. Under a plea bargain, Polanski later pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of having sex with a minor.
Polanski fled to Switzerland in 1978, before he could be sentenced for the crime. And while in the land of snowy slopes and delicious chocolate, he avoided the consequences of his actions while trying to have the charges dismissed from a safe distance. Polanski’s body of work includes Rosemary’s Baby, Chinatown and The Pianist. He even won the Oscar for Best Director in 2003 for the latter.
The 76 year old director was detained this weekend as he was en route to Zurich to accept a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich film festival.
Whether or not Polanski is guilty of the crimes for which he is being accused, it’s high time he is proven innocent or guilty in a court of law, not just a court of public opinion. Should Polanski be acquitted, he could very well return to America and direct many more significant films and regain his reputation in Hollywood.
Personally, I have never seen a Polanski film, nor do I intend to. As a mother, I question the whereabouts of the victim’s mother during the “photo shoots,” and how a second “shoot” ever even took place following the alleged conduct at the first. Even more so, though, I question how this man was able to not only have a film directing career following his “escape,” but how he was able to win awards and still maintain support from Hollywood, including having stars such as Harrison Ford stand up and accept awards on his behalf while he hid. We’ve barred Pete Rose from the Hall of Fame for gambling, but will give an admitted child rapist an Academy Award?
On another note, isn’t there a lifetime achievement award we can bestow upon Osama Bin Laden somewhere in Western Europe?
Comments
Abbee Lee
September 28th, 2009 - 12:32:13 PM
Yes, Roman did admit he had sex with the 13 year old girl; however, he was not charged with rape. … what he did was wrong, even if it was long ago, he still was made responsible for this…
chris
September 29th, 2009 - 5:41:38 PM
He should be held accountable for his actions.