Polanski arrested

[likeaclown]

Roman Polanski has been arrested in Switzerland, apparently on his way to a film festival. (link: New York Times)

I, a passionate movie fan, say: Hell yes. Finally. I was actually shouting and pumping my fists.

Hervé Temime, Mr. Polanski’s lawyer in Paris, told France Info radio that “there is no reason, either in law or in fact, nor on the terrain

Comments

[halloween]

I wouldn't feel guilty for watching and enjoying art. I've seen a number of his films, and he's fucking brilliant.

Brilliant people are not free of horrific abilities or deeds. I've seen some art from serial killers and some of it is kind of awesome. Just that dog killer football player guy was an amazing football player. Lacking all good judgment and morals, sure, but still... talented.

That being said, I hope Roman gets his ass extradited back the US as soon as possible and serves his due time in prison for being a horrific person.

I never realized what Roman had done until he won an Oscar for The Pianist and wasn't there at the Oscars to accept his award. And I remember my father, who has a daughter (my sister might have been around 13 at the time) getting tears in his eyes with absolute anger that the Oscars would even have the gall to award a rapist who isn't even allowed in the US without immediate arrest. That's about when I realized how terrible of a man Roman is.

[likeaclown]

I don't feel guilty. I feel manipulated -- a little dirty, like. At least I saw it for free and didn't review it, so he didn't profit from my having seen it, however indirectly. If I had, I would probably feel a little nasty for contributing to a degenerate's fortune. As it is, I feel somehow complicit in something, in that I had an emotional connection with his personal creation, even though I didn't know it was his. I'm probably being too sensitive about it, but it is just a general gross feeling. I get the same thing when I see a Woody Allen movie.

Funny, I thought of Michael Vick too. He's getting a pass as well from lots of people, and even has his old job back -- but then, he served his time, and however useful his particular sentence might have been in rehabilitating him, at least it's a price and he paid it.

[the_yellow_book]

I'm on your side here, Rick.

One one hand--the card Polanski and his lawyer are playing--the rape (yes, it was rape) happened 20+ years ago and the girl, now a grown adult does not want charges pressed against him (any longer), therefore he is magically absolved. *eye roll*

I don't know what the statute of limitations is in the U.S. (and it probably varies by state) or all the complexities of international law, but, it's irresponsible to dismiss such an act. It sends the message to the public that plying 13 year old girls with drugs/alcohol and coercing them to have sex is harmless and normal, but just not socially acceptable.

Anyway...
You're in France already, eh?

[likeaclown]

Thirty-plus years ago, actually. If it were a matter of prosecution, then yes, I think the statute of limitations would have expired three to six years after the offense, though there was apparently a push a few years ago in California to remove such statutes for rape cases. I'm not sure that matters, though, for two reasons: He pled down to "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor," from which I infer that the prosecution may not have been totally sure it could get a full-blown rape conviction even within the statute of limitations; and I'm not sure such a statute could be applied retroactively