Woody Allen on Roman Polanski: Let Fellow Director Go in Child Rape Case, He Already "Paid for It"

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

Woody Allen and Roman Polanski (CBS/AP)

CANNES, France (CBS/AP) - Woody Allen, who knows firsthand about scandal involving a much younger woman, is renewing his call for fellow director -- and convicted child rapist -- Roman Polanski to be set free.

In an interview from the Cannes Film Festival Saturday, Allen called Polanski "an artist and is a nice person" who "did something wrong and he paid for it."

Polanski pleaded guilty in 1978 to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl in Los Angeles, but fled to France before sentencing. He was a fugitive until his arrest in Switzerland last September. Polanski is under house arrest in Geneva, and U.S. authorities are seeking his extradition in the 33-year-old case.

It was not clear whether Allen was aware of new allegations against Polanski when he made his remarks in an interview with France Info radio from the famous film festival.

Last week, British actress Charlotte Lewis went public with claims that Polanski had sexually abused her when she was 16.

Allen had previously signed a petition calling for Polanski's release.

The "Annie Hall" director is no stranger to scandal; his relationship with actress Mia Farrow ended in 1992 when she found out he was having an affair with her adopted daughter Soon-Yi Previn. Allen married Previn, who was 22 at the time, in 1997.

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by melpol1 May 18, 2010 10:09 PM EDT: The forgiveness of Polanski should not only come from Woody, it should come from the holy of holies, and that is the Pope. His understanding of the weakness of man and the temptations of the Devil can silence the angry mob that wants to crucify an aging hipster.; Reply to this comment


by JenniferSL May 18, 2010 6:27 PM EDT: I think it's time to have another "Sudden Impact" movie out to re-instate what a scorn woman could do to a man's parts when a man doesn't respect a woman's body or mind.; Reply to this comment


by melpol1 May 18, 2010 5:54 PM EDT: A man is safer with a hooker than with most women. An angry ladies word can smear the most upright gentlemen. It would be wise if a man was escorted with a chaperon. Having a sexual partner has become dangerous.; Reply to this comment


by monoresa May 18, 2010 9:03 AM EDT: Polanski accuser gave different version in previous interview!

http://www.earthtimes.org/articles/show/324256,polanski-accuser-gave-different-version-in-previous-interview.html; Reply to this comment


by mcdanel_1771 May 18, 2010 8:25 AM EDT: As a post script, let me also express my outrage that all this nonsense is over the completion of a 90 day sentence for pleading guilty to unlawful sexual contact. This worm can't man up for a couple of months of protective custody.

The victim's decision to forgive is irrelevant to me. The woman she has grown to be had to make mental accomodations to move on in life. That does not change the fact that Roman Polanski flattered, isolated, drugged, and sexually violated a child from A-Z. He also violated her sense of trust, and raped her self worth. She didn't get justice then, (90 days!?) so why would she want to revisit the crime?

Sexual assault on a child is a crime against society, not just the indivdual victim, because it leaves behind emotional and identity issues that will affect that indivdual and those around them for decades. We have the right to see that justice, however pitiful, is imposed.

Fly in, spend a couple of months in privacy, writing, working on project ideas, sentence done, fly out; you pathetic, cowardly, little worm!; Reply to this comment


by mcdanel_1771 May 18, 2010 7:36 AM EDT: Polanski's probably thinking "Shut up, Woody!"; Reply to this comment


by bunchomorons May 17, 2010 11:19 PM EDT: OMG you have got to be joking. Well, if someone of the sterling character of Woody Allen, who cheated on his wife with his young step-daughter (or was she actually his adopted daughter? I forget now), thinks we should forgive and forget, then by all means. By the way, how exactly did he pay for what he did??? Oh, I know, he's had to live somewhere outside the U.S. to avoid his own trial. That really is so tragic. He raped a CHILD (not "young woman"). And we're not talking about statutory rape, either, but full-fledged forcible violent rape. POS. It sickens me how so many Hollywood people are willing to make excuses for a child rapist because they think he's an "artist". Yeah, like Michael Jackson. Who also should have rotted in prison. And hopefully is rotting in hell now.; Reply to this comment


by theskeptical1 May 17, 2010 6:33 PM EDT: As the old saying goes, "there is no honor among thieves."

But Woody Allen has just proven that there is indeed "solidarity among perverts". OK, Woody, you've made your point - now kindly crawl back under that rock from whence you came.; Reply to this comment


by kamsack50 May 17, 2010 5:24 PM EDT: Because she wouldn't have gone otherwise.; Reply to this comment


by taxpayingvoter May 17, 2010 4:49 PM EDT: If Polansky was such a nice guy, why did he have to use drugs and champagne to get a child in his bed? If I did this there would be no one on my side trying to get me out of trouble, everyone would be trying to put me in prison. I guess if you have enough money you can always buy a few " Bleeding hearts" to cry for you.
If he was such a "stand-up" kind of guy he would have taken his punnishment like a man not some child raping pedofile.; Reply to this comment