Roman Polanski, a convicted child rapist who has been living in exile since fleeing punishment in 1978, was arrested on Saturday night in Zurich, Switzerland, on an international warrant. Polanski, 76, has been living in France since he pled guilty to the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl. Polanski had made the plea deal in order to avoid the more serious charges of rape by use of drugs, perversion, sodomy, lewd and lascivious acts upon a child under 14, and furnishing a controlled substance (methaqualone) to a minor.
Polanski said in his defense at the time that the 13-year-old child was “sexually experienced,” and “consented,” thus arguing that somehow it would be okay for a 44-year-old to have sex with a 13-year-old in Jack Nicholson’s hot tub even if he hadn’t drugged her, which he had.
Polanski, who has directed a number of films, including Chinatown and The Pianist, had traveled to Zurich to accept an award for his filmmaking. The arrest outraged the government of France, which evidently doesn’t feel child rape is a serious crime. French Culture Minister Frederic Mitterrand said he was “stunned” by the arrest, adding that he “profoundly regrets that a new ordeal is being inflicted on someone who has already known so many during his life.” Mitterand did not comment on the fact that the ordeal was being “inflicted” on Polanski because he raped a girl, and avoided justice for three decades.
A number of people who’ve worked with Polanski and pretended not to be aware that he once raped a child also came to his defense, arguing that he raped a child a long time ago, and was a really charming guy, and rich and stuff, so he should be allowed to get away with rape and with fleeing punishment for rape.
It remains to be seen whether Polanski will ultimately be extradited to the United States. His attorneys have vowed to fight extradition, and Polanski, as a man of means, is able to hire expensive attorneys. Nevertheless, the arrest serves as a reminder that whatever his skill at directing or his ability to make small talk at cocktail parties, Roman Polanski is a man who drugged and raped a kid. And by his actions he is making sure we never forget it.
Have you read John Farr’s defense at HuffPost? He argues that Polanski should be set free because:
1) The girl lied about her age (I doubt there’s any truth to this, but he’s stating it as though it’s a fact)
2) Polanski’s wife was murdered
3) Polanski is married
4) Polanski makes awesome films
In other words, she was a lyin’ slut who asked for it and the poor man had been through a terrible trauma and he’s now married to a “not unintelligent” woman (his words – I swear) and he’s a talented director. Therefore, one little, itsy, bitsy drugging, rape and sodomy of a child shouldn’t be held against him. Hey, nobody’s perfect!
Really, Jeff, I just don’t know what to say because it’s all too horrible for words.
I wish I could say I was surprised, Rose, but the rape apology WRT Polanski has been epic for the past 31 years. I have never seen any of his films–I might have been able to stomach them if I thought that, you know, he was held accountable for his actions. But a lot of inbred douche maggots have given him a silver platter full of hankies to cry in, and went on to slut-bait the then-13-year-old girl.
Because 44-year-old men totes can’t help themselves at all!