Categories: Need to know

Will Roman's arrest liberate him?

Oscar-winning director’s case may finally see resolution

by macleans.ca on Monday, September 28, 2009 11:41am - 6 Comments

Roman Polanski’s surprise arrest at the Zurich airport could lead to extradition, or exoneration. The Swiss move may result in the Oscar-winning filmmaker finally being sent back to the U.S. to face sentencing for the 42-year-old charge of having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old. But as his legal team fights for clemency, with support from French politicians and Hollywood celebrities, Polanski’s new ordeal may trigger a successful bid for freedom. He’s certainly receiving some impassioned support. The Huffington Post features an ardent defense of Polanski by Kim Gordon, who analyzes Catherine Deneuve’s torment in Repulsion to demonstrate how this director really understands women.

The Huffington Post

Associated Press

Tags: Entertainment

ICanAdd

Get your calculators out, Macleans. Polanski fled in 1978. That was 31 years ago, not 42.
hosertohoosier

I think Roman Polanski is a great director – Chinatown, Repulsion, Rosemary's Baby, and Le Locataire were all fine films. That said I have found the reactions of his defenders somewhat disconcerting.

Polanski's defenders argue that this crime happened a long time ago. Yes, but has the statute of limitations expired? If not, he is still a criminal.

Secondly they argue that the victim got over it. The thing is that providing victims with restitution is not the only reason we prosecute crimes. In most western countries, the objectives of the justice system also include deterrence and rehabilitation (among other things). We assign penalties to things – even if the victim is indifferent to the crime – to deter others from believing they can get away with crimes. We attempt to rehabilitate prisoners so that they are less likely to commit a crime again – perhaps this time on a victim that might have a problem with what is going on.

Powerful and accomplished people should not be above the law. This is particularly true when they come from an industry where stories like this one are probably quite common, and will remain so if the law is not enforced. Plying 13-year olds with alcohol and having sex with them is wrong. If Polanski had stuck to his original instincts and done his time (he pleaded guilty), he could have been out of jail by now (and we would have been spared of having to see Pirates to boot).
http://www.intensedebate.com/people/frenchie101 frenchie101

He raped and sodomized a 13 year old girl.I am not about to forget that, and then he ran from the law.I dont care how old he is, he stands alone!
Maureen

I believe he also plead guilty to a lesser charge and then skipped the country to avoid jail time and has avoided countries that could be problamatic – yes that is the type of person I want to believe has changed.
Sarah

Anyone who thinks that Hilliary Clinton is going to help a man who raped a 13 yr-old girl is crazy town! And Obama is a feminist and he has two daughters. He'll not get any sympathy at high levels in the US.

By the way – the website "The Smoking Gun" has posted the girl's grand jury testimony. It's widely publicized in the U.S., and pretty horrifying.
TedTylerEzro

The Onion said it best:

"I'm sure now that he's been captured, justice can finally be evaded with money."