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Movies & TV

The pardoning of Polanski

The Roman Polanski case has many mysterious elements.

Why did The L.A. police department wait so long to arrest the famed director, who skipped on a plea deal related to his having sex with a minor? Why did they arrest him at this particular time?

Each a valid question. But the biggest mystery? Why, as he’s facing arrest has Polanski articulated not one bit of remorse about his behaviour?

He’s gone silent, allowing his supporters to speak for him.

French foreign minister Bernard Kouchner called the arrest sinister. At a debate at the Normandy business school in France school, one student referred to the arrest as a case of blatant puritanism. Many others believe that Polanski’s genius gives him carte blanche to do whatever he pleases, all of which I call plain repulsive.

Some argue that Polanski has paid his dues, having been a fugitive for 31 years, adding that his victim, Samantha Geimer, wasn financially compensated via a civil suit, herself asked the police to drop the charges and has expressed distress at having to deal once again with heavy media coverage, a massive violation of her privacy.

While I do sympathize with Geimer, it is not unusual for police to continue to prosecute when the victim asks that they desist. In this case, Geimer’s shown incredible resilience, has been (probably) generously compensated and, fortunately for her, is not required to testify, as Polanski skipped out on a jail sentence already arranged with the courts.

In other situations I’ve been sympathetic to fugitives who emerge years later seeking clemency.

Consider the radical activists who disappeared underground in the early 70s after doing serious damage to property – sometimes even taking lives – as a result of seriously stupid bombing escapades. They stand before the courts claiming they’ve been through enough, lost upwards of 30 years of their lives and gave up relationships with family members and friends through that period. And I think they have a point. Being on the run can be punishment enough

But Polanski hasn’t exactly been living an underground existence. Except for being barred from the United States, he’s travelled freely, many times into countries where he could have legally been extradited. He’s continued to make movies, won the best director Oscar for The Pianist and was, not incidentally, about to be given a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich Film festival, where he was arrested. Not exactly a sad existence.

But really, if Polanski would just say he behaved badly and expressed his regrets, I too would let him take the free pass.

He himself has daughters now and, doubtless, is not encouraging them to take the bait when a famous over-40-year-old artist tries to lure them into sexual relations. Polanski could do himself a ton of good – and the rest of world – by making a strong statement against adults who seek sex from 13 year-olds.

I say, bring the full force of the law against him until he does.[rssbreak]

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