Martin Scorsese and Woody Allen Defend Child Rapist Roman Polanski, Why Shouldn't You?

By: Edecio Martinez
Topics: Daily Blotter

(AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Photo: Roman Polanski talks with correctional officers on Dec. 17, 1977.

NEW YORK (CBS/AP) If a truly great artist engages in a truly awful crime, should our feelings about the art mitigate our feelings about the crime?

That is just one of the gut-churning questions being asked across the Web, as people consider the predicament of Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski, sitting now in a Swiss jail and facing possible extradition to the United States for fleeing the country more than 30 years ago after he pleaded guilty in a sex case involving a 13-year-old girl.

And to many people, the answer is clear: Brilliant filmmaker or not, the man violated a young girl and needs to face justice for it.

"I wish to God he hadn't done it," said Frances Willington, a longtime Polanski fan and one of many who vented her frustrations online.

"I think he's the greatest film director of my generation," said Willington, who is British, in a follow-up interview from her home in southern France. But she was incensed by the immediate embrace of Polanski by some French cultural leaders, including the culture minister, who expressed outrage that Polanski was being "thrown to the lions."

"They're calling on people to sign a petition when this man is escaping the law!" said Willington, who works in marketing. "I don't care if he's made great films. I don't believe that cultural and artistic ability exempts you from being morally correct."

Though it was impossible to measure the balance of sentiment, on most sites there seemed to be many more postings calling for Polanski to face justice — particularly from people in the United States, but also from other countries.

(AP)

Photo: Roman Polanski poses with his Palme d'Or on May 26, 2002.

Photos: Polanski, A Life in Pictures

Many mentioned the sordid details of the case, which have grown foggy over time but have now resurfaced for all to see.

"All you fans need to read the court transcripts on thesmokinggun.com," wrote one poster, Paul Cooper, on a Facebook page devoted to Polanski. "Roman is a pig. Read and learn."

Polanski was accused of plying the 13-year-old girl, Samantha Geimer, with champagne and Quaaludes during a modeling shoot in 1977 and raping her. He was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy.

He agreed to plead guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. In exchange, the judge agreed to drop the remaining charges and commute the sentence to the 42 days already served. But Polanski fled the country Feb. 1, 1978, the day he was scheduled to be sentenced, after hearing that the judge planned to add more prison time to the sentence.

Geimer long ago identified herself, and she has joined in Polanski's bid for dismissal. She testified at the time that Polanski forced himself on her — which he acknowledged in his guilty plea — but has said she forgives him and wants the ordeal to be over.

Meanwhile, the director of "Rosemary's Baby," "Chinatown" and "The Pianist," which won him a best director Oscar, is in jail, arrested just as he arrived in Zurich to be honored at a film festival — a development that stunned his colleagues.

(AP)

Photo: Martin Scorsese.

A petition was immediately organized calling for his release, signed by prominent fellow directors including Woody Allen, Martin Scorsese, Darren Aronofsky, Terry Gilliam, Jonathan Demme, Ethan Coen and David Lynch, as well as actresses Penelope Cruz and Tilda Swinton.

Actress Debra Winger, presiding over the Zurich festival jury, complained: "This fledgling festival has been unfairly exploited." She also blamed Swiss authorities for their "Philistine collusion." And producer Harvey Weinstein said in a statement: "We are calling every filmmaker we can to help fix this terrible situation." (Representatives for Winger, Demme and Allen did not respond to requests for comment, and Weinstein and Aronofsky declined.)

But it would be a mistake to assume that the American figures on the list speak for all Hollywood, said Richard Walter, a longtime industry observer and a screenwriting professor at UCLA.

"Because they're celebrities, their voices are heard much more than others," Walter said. "But there's not a shred of evidence that the majority of people in the entertainment business are sympathetic with Polanski's position."

To another observer, the support from Hollywood elite is a case of colleagues closing ranks. "This is people attempting to protect their own," said Todd Boyd, professor of popular culture at the University of Southern California.

In online postings, some people noted that Polanski's difficult past must be taken into account. He escaped the Krakow ghetto during the Holocaust, lost his mother at Auschwitz, and later in life endured the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by followers of Charles Manson.

Other defenders said they understood why Polanski had fled the country, and noted that the victim had already forgiven Polanski.

"In a way, I don't blame Roman for fleeing," wrote Donna Mummery, 52, of Shreveport, La., on Facebook. "Let him enjoy the rest of his life now. "He's done a lot of good since that hard time in his life."

(AP Photo/Nick Ut, File)

Photo: Roman Polanski seen leaving court on Oct. 25, 1977.

Photos: Polanski, A Life in Pictures

Miami filmmaker Rodrigo Diaz-McVeigh agreed, adding that Polanski has shown over the years that he is not a danger to anyone.

"He's not a threat to any child," said Diaz-McVeigh, 22. "He's gone through so much in his life. And then he went to Switzerland to do good deeds." Diaz-McVeigh called himself a Polanski fan. "I just love his films," he said.

But most people seemed to think this was the moment to separate Polanski the man from Polanski the artist — just as many did in June, when Michael Jackson died, leaving memories both of his professional greatness and his darker personal side.

"I still dance to Michael Jackson's songs," wrote commentator Susan Jane Gilman on npr.org. "Just as I buy Rolling Stones albums, watch Woody Allen films and adore Hemingway's novels. The fact that many of these artists have treated women abominably and some have been accused of molesting minors does nothing to diminish their art in my eyes."

"Great achievements should not be judged on the basis of personal conduct," she wrote from Geneva. "But nor should a person's conduct be excused by their achievements, either. At the end of the day, would we be OK with our 13-year-old daughter being drugged and raped by a 44-year-old?"

Photos: Polanski, A Life in Pictures

MORE ON CRIMESIDER
October 1, 2009 - Roman Polanski Victim Testimony: "I Was Ready to Cry"
October 1, 2009 - Roman Polanski Won't Get Fair US Trial Says Sharon Tate's Sister
September 30, 2009 - Free Roman Polanski: European Artists Demand Director's Release
September 29, 2009 - Roman Polanski's Own Lawyers May Have Caused Arrest for Samantha Geimer Rape
September 29, 2009 - Roman Polanski Case: Does France Love Child-Rapists, Movie Directors, or Both?
September 29, 2009 - Roman Polanski Rape Victim Samantha Geimer (Photo) Wants Case Dismissed?
September 29, 2009 - Roman Polanski Stuck in Jail for Samantha Geimer Rape
September 29, 2009 - Roman Polanski Nabbed for Sex with 13-Year-Old Girl

12 Comments Have Your Say
Email Story Send to a Friend
Share This Tell Your Friends
Tweet This Tweet This
More Share It

Add a Comment

See all 12 Comments


by voxpopulus May 17, 2010 12:23 AM EDT: "For Justice to be fair and equal to ALL, should Polanski be treated as if he did no wrong, then..." Polanski never was facing fair and equal justice. He was facing a corrupt trial by a corrupt judge that turned into a witch hunt. And the witch hunt is still going on now. Polanski should be tried, but I do not believe he can get a fair trial in the US.; Reply to this comment


by Dequeero January 3, 2010 6:04 PM EST: Martin Scorcese is no more than a deadbeat reprobate himself. He cheated me out of tens of thousands of dollars he promised for my part in the making of his 1976 film "Taxi Driver". A film about me and one of MY accomplishments. The Name I logged in with represents what I think of the reprobate he selected to represent me in that film.

My real name is David McGovern Jr. davemcgovernjr@yahoo.com; Reply to this comment

by Dequeero January 3, 2010 5:45 PM EST

It does not surprize me that this Scorcese is defending the actions of this prevert Child Sex predator being that he himself a low life individual. In 1976 he and Dequeero made a film about me titled "Taxi Driver" for which he offered to pay me sixty thousand dollars for my many contributions to that film including the line "Are You Talking To Me"? Instead of paying me he and his cohorts
(Including child sex predator Stanley Kubrick) tried to kill me before I could speak to the media. Subsequently I spent four days in a coma and over four months hospitalized. If one were to do a little digging I would not be surprized to discover a couple more victims of Scorcese's criminality.
Of course it goes without saying that "Woody" Allen is also a child abusing leacher from the pervert film director hall of fame. The only reason he's free now is because he is rich enough to afford the finest of legal representation.

Reply to this comment


by Dequeero January 3, 2010 5:54 PM EST: By the way my name is David McGovern Jr. davemcgovernjr@yahoo.com


by tonlo December 5, 2009 9:05 PM EST: Of course Woody Allen supports him. He like em' young too & in the family. She was 13, not only raped, but drugged & photographed. I don't care how much time or money has gone by, he deserves severe jail time. I am so sick of the famous being treated differently.; Reply to this comment


by newsreader8 October 4, 2009 8:32 PM EDT: For Justice to be fair and equal to ALL, should Polanski be treated as if he did no wrong, then EVERY child molester and every rapist since 1977 should have their records wiped also! Why should his professional achievements favour him over another less accomplished criminal?!! If Polanski faces nothing, then why should every convicted sex offender and child molester' name and whereabouts be a matter of public records (and rightfully so) even after having paid for their crimes? They are not granted the LUXURY of excuses such as: "It was a long time ago... I offered her money... but look what I have done with my life since..." No, they still have to suffer suspiscious communities wherever they go..
If Polanski is left alone it's like saying child sexual abuse and rape is wrong BUT ONLY IF the criminal is and remains a nobody. However, since comitting this crime, if you have accomplished great things which have made you rich and famous, then your crimes don't matter so much! What kind of 'justice' would that be? And, most of all; what message is that to the victims of sexual and violent crimes who (have) suffer(ed) at the hands of prominent public figures? "The one who did this to you is rich and famous? Oh so sorry.. his fame and brillaint career is more important than what he did to you. The law doesn't apply quite as much in your case"!!
I was never really a Michael Jackson fan, but even he had the courage to face the charges against him.. He was to be respected for that!; Reply to this comment


by donnam8 October 3, 2009 7:11 PM EDT: America, this is an atrocity and an annilhilation of all that is sacrid and pure if we let our country and others continue to diminish over self gratification while our young are being subdued, raped and beaten than we become a part of a unevolved malicious attack on humanity.; Reply to this comment


by americanchris October 2, 2009 7:11 PM EDT: It easy to see why woody allen would side with him as he also was child molester himself. One is as pathetic as other.; Reply to this comment


by raddavidson October 2, 2009 1:00 PM EDT: Debra Tate- Sharon Tate's sister had the audacity to speak at Susan Atkin's parole hearing on Sept. 2 to say Susan should not be granted a compassionate release, which I agreed with. But Debra Tate's thinking for Robert Polanski is so screwed- how can you think that a 13 year old can give consent? They CANNOT and were you there, Debra? did you watch as he RAPED this young girl? Do you have children or granddaughters? What if this happened to them? I hope you do not have any children- that would be evil breeding evil. why would you think that because it was so long ago, he should not have to serve? Susan Atkins killed your sister (1969) year's before Robert raped this 13 year old girl.(1977) You, Debra Tate are an EVIL, hypocritical, malipulating sick Monster. And why would anyone ever want Wooody Allen's opinion? He is a child rapist and a very sick, evil, manipulating, disgusting PIG! And all those who think that Robert should go free are the same- EVIL, MANIPULATING, PIGS! NO, he should not go free- he should serve every single second for his crime and add time for being a fugitive on the run for so long and then add throw those who helped Robert in prison as well for aiding a fugitive. At least Susan Atkin's truly changed her life and in the end apologized, repented and started a woman's ministry. You cannot have it all your way. You, Debra, Robert, Woody and all those who think Robert is some kind of hero belong to your father, the Devil- there is no truth in you or him- John 8:44. Debra if you apply your way of thinking for Robert to your own sister's case, then YOU would have to say that Sharon wanted what happened to her to happen. That is YOUR thinking, Debra, not mine! Incredibly EVIL!; Reply to this comment


by village-taker October 2, 2009 11:59 AM EDT: Don't be surprised if there are more children he has raped. Once a rapist always a rapist.

It seems that Hollywood is OK with sacrificing children for arts' sake. There are plenty of great directors out there. The world won't cave in if he not around.

It's great that the victim has forgiven him and moved on. She is surely a brave person....but what about the others. I'm sure there are other kids who he has preyed upon.; Reply to this comment


by willow013 October 2, 2009 10:38 AM EDT: "Why shouldn't you?" Give me a break...Polanski is a perverted sex offender, and every year that he went unprosecuted does not negate his guilt one bit....; Reply to this comment