During the Academy Awards, I heard a couple commentators say that the Oscar for Roman Polanski was a way of expressing forgiveness – that Hollywood is very forgiving for sexual transgressions. So explain to me exactly why Polanski deserves forgiveness for being a rapist. Especially since he has never served any time for the crime and, AFAIK, has never expressed much remorse.
I wholeheartedly agree. I admire Polanski for his films which I very much enjoy watching. I’m hoping to see The Pianist sometime soon.
But not to excercise double standards Polanski should be condemned to the same extent that any other criminal should. As far as i understood it he himself confessed to the act a couple of years ago?
[hijack]Any news on the Phil Spector murder case?[/hijack]
Well, it did happen back in 1977. The sheer passage of time heals some, although not all, transgressions.
Just for clarification…Roman Polanski was charged with giving a minorl champagne and quaaludes then forcing himself upon her.
Don’t sell Roman short with just a “rape”…it was with a 13 year old girl!
The former 13-year-old girl was interviewed on TV (briefly) recently, she thinks it all should be forgotten. Or something. I never did understand the whole story.
Years ago I thought I remembered hearing the contention that she (the 13-year-old) had “looked much older” and that she was willing and able to have sex. But that probably was a line he told in order to partitially blame the victim.
partially blame the victim. Yeesh. Typos.
Apparently, a plea bargain was reached after Polanski pleaded guilty. The judge, however, was allegedly going to sentence him to 50 years in prison depite the arrangement made by prosecutors. So Polanski fled.
If you have seen the documents posted at the Smoking Gun, you will probably be as shocked as I was by the alleged crimes. It’s disgusting and deplorable.
However, the victim has recently spoke out in favor of Polanski winning the Oscar. It seems as though she has forgiven him.
I wouldn’t have. But that’s just MHO.
He fled? Where exactly did he flee from? Where did this take place?
NB:
That being said, I also think “The Pianist” is a stunning piece of work, propelled mostly by the unflinchingly honest and painful portrayal by Adrien Brody. It clearly deserves the accolades it has received, standing on its own as a piece of art.
I guess the question is, while I personally think Polanski should have been punished for his actions in 1977, would we (and the victim) be better served if he were in fact rotting in prison instead of making this film? A moral dilemma indeed…
Well, if the victim herself forgives Polanski, I guess he deserves forgivesness.
He fled the United States (specifically, Los Angeles) hours before being sentenced to Paris, where he has lived ever since. The rape took place at Jack Nicholson’s house (Jack was not present).
Blalron:
The US, never to return. In hollywood?
NB:
Well, for me the appropriate moral stance is to enjoy his films if they are good, and ask for him to be put in prison for his crime. If the law really be equal for all…
I agree, he should be punished. But the dilemma stems from the fact that if he had been sentenced to 50 years, this film would not exist. If he were sentenced now, what films would never be made as a result…
So I assume he wasn’t physically present at Oscar night, because he’d get arrested?
France doesn’t have a law against rape? Why would they not extradite a convicted rapist?
As I watched the Oscar presentation I had a moment of fantasy in which I imagined Harrison Ford saying:
The Academy accepts this award on behalf of Roman Polanski . . . but I do not. If Mr Polanski sets foot on US soil he might be arrested and prosecuted for the rape of a 13 year old girl. This is your Oscar Mr. Polanski. [Sets statuette on podium] Come and get it.
Yeah, I can be slow to forgive rapists and child molestors. The wishes of the victim are not the only concern, here. Society as a whole has an interested in not allowing such crimes to go unpunished, particularly by the famous and influential.
CoC
What are the possible conditions that could be met that would equal “deserving of forgiveness” for Polanski?
http://www.vachss.com/mission/roman_polanski.html
The linked site is informational only.
leander
I see no dilemna. I love art, but the potential to produce great art does not absolve one from all social responsibilities.
For sure, an interesting mind game. But if it were a doctor and not a film-maker, what lives might he have saved?