Art Is Not Enough

This has been a helluva week for me. Two of my very favorite artists of all time were at the forefront of the news, not because of the incredible films or beautiful music they made, but because of sex crimes they committed: rape and incest. Both happened long ago, during a hedonistic drug-fueled era and permissive celebrity culture. Roman Polanski is one of my favorite filmmakers, and John Phillips one of my favorite songwriters. I had the honor to meet each of these men, and was almost giddy to be blessed with the chance to tell each artist what his work meant has to me. In Phillips' case I even wrote his obit for the LA Weekly.

But, you will probably be surprised that unlike most every other fan and fellow artist, I absolutely support the arrest and extradition of Roman Polanski, every bit as much as I believe that Mackenzie Phillips is probably telling the truth, and has every right to do so as publicly as she feels the need.

Let's first of all get the word 'consent' out of the discussion: 13 year olds in the United States do not have the right to consent to sex with adults. That was the law in 1977 and is still the law. And while Mackenzie Phillips has said she had 'consensual incest' with her father, many have argued that incest is never consensual regardless of the age of the child (she was 18) because the parent always holds the power in the relationship. I understand what she's trying to say -- which is that she was not forced or threatened or bullied into the incest. However, her father had already crossed the line and blurred boundaries by giving her drugs as a kid, shooting her with cocaine by his own admission, and she was in a blackout during the first rape by her father. (Coincidentally also in 1977).

While most everyone was rallying the cry of outrage over Polanski's arrest, some people have recently written in their blogs the details of the case against Polanski, a crime to which he plead guilty. I strongly urge people to get familiar with the details of the crime -- with the many times this child said 'No' to every crime committed against her will, and her absolute powerlessness in a violating situation orchestrated by one of the world's greatest filmmakers -- before you go jumping on the 'Free Roman' bandwagon.

It doesn't matter to me if the victim's mother was a pushy stage mom, she did not send her daughter out with Polanski to Jack Nicholson's house to be drugged and sodomized. It doesn't matter to me that the victim has forgiven him and wants it all dropped -- once charged, it becomes a crime against all of us as a society and it's no longer just about the victim, but about all of us. It doesn't matter to me if there was misconduct with the original judge in the case, because Polanski, as a result of Marina's incredible documentary, was given a recent opportunity to return to the US so a new judge could review the case with an open mind, and would give him the sentence he never stuck around to receive in 1978. But he had to return to LA. Polanski refused. (And the former DA who suggested the misconduct has now claimed he was lying, so who knows what the story was, we just know Polanski flew the coop.)

And as sensitive as I may be to the loss and pain and tragedy which has colored most of Polanski's life, it doesn't ultimately matter to me either. Both of these men had terrible traumatic childhoods. Polanski's life has been so harrowing that it long ago entered the realm of mythology. Phillips came from a terribly abusive alcoholic home ruled by a remote sadistic military father. But there is not one perpetrator out there who couldn't cry me a fucking river. Trauma creates one of four types of people: victims, rescuers, or perps -- and if you're really lucky and really strong and very willing and brave, survivors.

Art should never be held above our decency to each other. And when an artist commits a crime, especially a sex crime and especially against a child, we do art no favor by giving artists a break we would never give to anyone else.

Lucky for me, I can still listen to the beauty of John Phillips songs, he truly wrote some of the world's most achingly gorgeous ballads. My favorites "Look Through My Window" and "Like An Old Time Movie" live inside of me without one tainted wince. And I wish they will always remain this close to my heart.

Likewise, Roman Polanski's Tess (made after he and his 17 year old star had already "broken up" -- he started sleeping with her when she was 15), The Tenant, Repulsion, Rosemary's Baby and my god Chinatown are films my life is better for having known, with some of the greatest female characters ever created for the screen. My work is better, maybe all filmmakers are better, for Polanski's imprint on cinema. He created language for all of us to use, there is no question about that.

But to deny these men the karma they deserve through truth and justice, is to negate the very art they created. Let the hubris crack and let's see what's underneath. I know exactly what's there...and it's bleak. And the only cure for that is redemption. And the only path to redemption is responsibility for your actions.

 

 

Comments

[Sezin]

Thank you, Ms. Anders, for speaking out against Polanski's crimes when so many staple figures in Hollywood are doing just the opposite. For such a straightforward case, my mind is boggled by all of the Polanski supporters who cling to any little nuance in order to make a case in his support.

The facts remain that he pled to a lesser crime of sex with a minor, but fled the country before he was sentenced. This means that his plea is no longer valid and in fact he could be sentenced for the entire gamut of crimes for which he was originally charged, including giving alcohol and drugs to a minor and of course several types of rape. It seems that the American judicial system is now dragging its heels on his extradition, and I truly hope that he will return to the USA and pay the price for his crimes.

You are spot on when you say that his crimes ceased being against the 13-year-old girl he abused when he was arrested: they are now in the domain of the general public. It will be an extreme disservice to women and girls' basic human rights everywhere if he is not held accountable.

With much respect,

Sezin

P.S. I am so relieved that I don't have to put your name on my list of artists who I will no longer be supporting! Whew!

[FunkSoulBrother]

Great article. I'm heartened to see most everyone, liberal or conservative or otherwise, stand up for bringing Polanski back to the US and letting justice be served.

I'm disappointed in many of the so-called liberals in Hollywood who are standing up for him. I just want to know how anyone who calls himself or herself a liberal could possibly stand up for Polanski. The man was convicted of raping a 13-year-old girl.

Neither rape nor child abuse is a liberal value. What am I missing?

[Jeff Norman - Huffpost Blogger]

Allison, when you advise us "to get familiar with the details of the crime -- with the many times this child said 'No' to every crime committed against her will...," it seems like you're confusing accusations with facts. Apparently, you believe Polanski committed multiple crimes and the girl resisted all these purported crimes (which you haven't bothered to identify). But the fact is, Polanski was never convicted of multiple crimes.

[jackbutler5555]

Nor is their evidence to corroborate her story, no witnesses. Allison, all anyone has his admission made as part of the plea deal that they had sex. The medical team that examined her could not see any indication she had sex at all -- front door, back door, nothing. Would you like me to give you a link to the official report. Or, would you like to take my word for it. Only if you ask, because I want to know if you have an open mind about this.

[Jeff Norman - Huffpost Blogger]

I'd like to read the report, Jack. If you don't want to post it here, please email it to me at citizenjeff.comf.com

Thanks!

[MeetJohnDoe]

Polanski admitted the facts. He was allowed (stupidly) to plead down to a lesser charge.

He raped a thirteen year old minor, having softened her up with booze and pills to do so. He raped her vaginally, and he raped her anally, and he accomplished that by means of alcohol and qaaludes. Making multiple crimes.

What part of that do you not get?

[jackbutler5555]

You got your facts where? From the other posters? From her Grand Jury testimony? You probably didn't get your facts from an objective source.

[CLNX]

Allison,
Thank you so much for clearly stating "Art should never be held above our decency to each other." It's irrelevant that The Pianist was a great, affecting film - Polanski needs to serve time in jail for a grotesque crime (even if, as it seems, he will never really understand that it was a terrible crime).

[jackbutler5555]

Who is saying art shouldn't be held above decency? This is an issue the anti-Polanski folks would like to address, 'cause it's easy. BTW, CLNX, what crime did Polansky commit? Forcible rape? Sodomy?

[MeetJohnDoe]

Yes. Rape. Sodomy. Of a minor. Using substances in order to do so.

[Andy Ostroy - Huffpost Blogger]

Great writing. Great job. A friend sent me your piece. Check out mine on the same subject. Keep up the logic....

[juttahip]

Hey Andy thank you so much! Your awesome piece was the first one I read that made me feel sane! And with you in the lead there have been more since so I thank you very much for writing it and giving me the courage to write mine!

[jackbutler5555]

I missed the logic. Glad you came along. So, tell me the logic.

[writerjohnny]

Bravo Ms Anders. I will make it a certainty to see whatever work you have or will produce. As for your thoughts on being able to appreciate the art created by severely flawed artists and those who protect them I am torn. My Mamas And Papas vinyl will stay buried for the time being along with my VHS copy of Chinatown. And while I'm not willing to put Woody Allen into the same bag as Polanski did he really just get bad at making movies or did we all have our appreciation of his insights tempered by his real life?
I don't know but it will take a while before I watch "Play It Again Sam" or "Annie Hall" with the same laugh-rapture I once experienced.

[juttahip]

Thanks WriterJohnny!

[jdrourke]

Great column, Alison!!! Personally, what Polanski did was sickening - and at its core, his crime should have a punishment. But even I find myself questioning the others who played a part in this situation, including the girl's mother who drove her to the party. Too may adults are not looking out for their kids, and this is an even greater crime...

http://jdrourke.wordpress.com/

[CrisOmg]

I disagree. Not looking out for your kids is light years behind rape.

It's hard to fathom anything as bad as rape.

[longtimeamericalover]

This is from the original court transcript: .
And that's it: We have Mr. Polanski coming to the family, showing them an elaborate, slick paper magazine—Paris Vogue—with beautiful photographs of beautiful girls and scenery and background…. Mr. Polanski shows these articles and this issue of Paris Vogue to the family and asks if their daughter, the complaining witness, in this case, who he has been told is 13 years old, if she would like to be photographed for a future article in that same magazine. The family agrees, and Mr. Polanski comes back at a later time, and there is a photo session at that time….”

“In addition to that, there has been some indication that there is some blame to be put on the mother for allowing the daughter to go. However, it appears from the testimony at the Grand Jury—and also from the probation report—that the mother asked to go on that photo assignment, and it was Mr. Polanski who suggested and who indicated that the mother should not go, because it would—it might inhibit the girl in the photo session.”

[jackbutler5555]

That's what the mother said she said.

[NuancedThinker]

Beautifully written!

[gazissax]

Amen. Purely and simply stated. I can't help but wonder what proportion of the people who are rushing to his defense have done something similar themselves.

[FTracy3]

Excellent column. Anyone who signed Weinstein's petition without knowing the facts is moronic for doing so, and anyone who signed it while knowing the facts is, and I hate to say it, amoral, if not evil. I too loved the Mama's and the Papas and most of Polanski's movies. But artistic gifts should not allow you to escape justice. Frankly, I'm more disgusted by the supporters than I am by Polanski at this point. I believe justice in this case should be tempered, and his background, age, and lack of criminal activity in the past decades can all be weighed. But "Free Roman!" when he's avoided the consequences of his own crime all these years is just too much.

[JShankel]

Fanned.

[kikiflies]

Sure has been quite a swing-shift on this site the last day or so. Gone are all the rape apologist and strawman articles in favour of a whole lot of righteous indignation. At least we're sticking to the facts now so that's good news. Nicely written. I'd be reluctant to put the two issues together, however. Phillips story seems suspicious to many (whether it is or isn't isn't the point) and putting it with Geimer's may risk the former being used to prove the latter with the usual tired old blame the victim chestnuts. Nonetheless, though, again, nicely written.

[LMPE]

Roman Polanski has become an issue as polarizing as war.

[kikiflies]

I disagree. I think it's more than fair to say the overwhelming majority are outraged at his actions and those who support them. Coming from all sides of the political spectrum, as it has, one might even say, in fact, that it's a uniting issue rather than the contrary.

[gazissax]

The interesting part is that, on Twitter at least, I have seen liberals and conservatives splitting not on party lines at all! As a progressive who thinks it is high time Polanski come home and serve his time, I have found myself opposing both liberals and conservatives on the issue. It's impossible to characterize this as a partisan issue -- responses come from other places entirely.