Leniency for Polanski

The news of director Roman Polanski's arrest stirred me more than I might have expected, since I'd just screened Marina Zenovich's revealing documentary about this man's tortured life, entitled Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired (2008).

This documentary is must-viewing, particularly given breaking events.

Confronting these developments, we must affirm the law's the law, right? And what Polanski reputedly did with a 13-year-old girl all those years ago was unquestionably the act of a sick individual.

But the story of what Polanski suffered even before the unspeakable trauma of having his pregnant wife Sharon Tate butchered in the spooky twilight of the turbulent sixties makes me believe that overall, he's as much victim as predator himself. 

Can you imagine living in the Krakow ghetto during the Nazi Occupation, and at the tender age of ten watching both your parents shuttled off to concentration camps, only to have your mother die in one?

These horrors by no means excuse his crime, but they are mitigating factors, are they not?

This new arrest also smacks of a sneak attack on the now 76-year-old director, who's been remarried to actress Emmanuelle Seigner for two decades. (He's probably reformed by now , don't you think?)

And unless there's something we don't yet know -- for instance, that he actually wanted to be arrested to gain some sort of late-life expiation of his past sins -- then it's clear he thought he was safe going to Switzerland to accept that award.

Watching Wanted and Desired, I did not get the impression that the now-adult lady Polanski victimized, who after all bears the most right to carry a grudge, would herself want to see the aging director slapped behind bars at this stage. (Perhaps others who saw the film had a different impression.)

So, with all due contempt for child molesters in general, I hope the case will be handled expeditiously, and if and when sentenced, that Polanski ultimately receives a measure of leniency. In other words- don't throw away the key.

I can't help musing that here in America, we drove away Chaplin for all those years, and though Polanski's crime was much harsher and more defined, I, for one, would welcome having him back among us once he's paid his debt to society. Maybe he could even help us make better movies again.

Of course, the diminutive Pole has had his share of stinkers (example: 1988's Frantic was most ordinary), but in my view, the following five features assure his screen immortality.

Knife In The Water (1962)- Weird dynamics arise when a married couple impulsively invite a young male hitch-hiker on a boating excursion. The men each subtly vie for macho supremacy as a way both to impress and lay claim to the woman. A layered tale about mankind's baser instincts on display, the film catapulted the young director to fame in his own country.

Repulsion (1965)- When Helene and her boyfriend leave her disturbed sister Carole (Catherine Deneuve) alone in their London flat one weekend, Carole's visceral contempt for men causes her to disintegrate emotionally. Pretty as she is, it's difficult for the opposite sex to leave her alone, including ardent admirer Colin (John Fraser). He has definitely picked the wrong girl. The director's first English-language film makes for a potent shocker, with Deneuve mesmerizing as the isolated, increasingly demented Carole.

Rosemary's Baby (1968)- New York's famous Dakota apartment building houses a modern-day witches' coven, with designs on the unborn child of a young housewife (Mia Farrow). Is Rosemary really carrying the Devil's offspring, and if so, how will she get anyone to believe her... before it's too late? This subtly demonic tale builds to a shocking climax. The willowy Farrow embodies vulnerability as Rosemary, while John Cassavetes, in a rare mainstream role, delivers just the right amount of shaded menace as her too soothing spouse. Ruth Gordon also scores as a kooky older neighbor, and look for a young Charles Grodin playing a doctor in a pivotal scene.

Chinatown (1974)- Hired by glamorous, mysterious Evelyn Mulwray (Faye Dunaway) to tail her errant husband, private dick Jake Gittes (Jack Nicholson) thinks he's on a routine case of spousal infidelity. It turns out Evelyn is the daughter of shadowy industrial baron Noah Cross (John Huston), and the seamy revleations mount from there, plunging Jake into a hornet's nest of incest and corruption in 1930's Los Angeles. Unquestionably one of the best films about the "City Of Angels", it's also one of the most superbly crafted detective stories ever committed to celluloid. The two leads really click, and legendary director Huston delivers his finest acting turn as the wily, ruthless Cross. Watch for Polanski himself as thug with a grudge against nosy people.

The Pianist (2002)- When the Nazis occupy Warsaw, a gifted pianist (Adrien Brody) feels his privileged world begin to crumble. Escaping the fate of his family,who are deported to a concentration camp, the man hides out in the apartment of a sympathetic friend, who then disappears. Desperate, he moves from one empty flat to another, determined to elude capture aa the city collapses around him. Polanski transforms this true story based on one man's memoirs into his most personal work. The acting in this shattering film is superb, with Thomas Kretschmann playing a Nazi officer partial to classical music, and Brody heart-rending in the title role, for he which he netted a richly deserved Oscar.

For over 2,000 more outstanding titles on DVD, visit www.bestmoviesbyfarr.com.

And check out John's weekly film recommendations on video at www.reel13.org.

 

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Comments

[Catherine1234]

Read this for a great rebuttal of the defense of Polanski

http://johnshore.com/2009/10/05/hollywood-go-polanski-yourself/

[JShankel]

"This documentary is must-viewing, particularly given breaking events."

Yeah, I've seen this bit of "must-viewing."

The key witness in it now says he "embellished" his story about the judge's misbehavior.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/01/us/01wells.html

The only person in this case to have violated the terms of the plea arrangement is Roman Polanski.

[Tiger99]

Mr. Farr there is something you should famliarize yourself with other than just one Documentary when it concerns Roman Polanski... None of which were in the film you mention to defend him...

The Grand Jury Testimony- http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2008/0610081polanski1.html

The Actual Testimony of the So-Called Sham Trail as you have called it -http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2009-10-02/the-lost-polanski-transcripts/

His testimony in the Vanity Fair Libel Trail on how he deals with "tragedy"...
"Polanski admitted having sex within four weeks of Tate's murder and seeking solace in the company of teenaged girls from a finishing school in Gstaad, Switzerland, the same year." http://www.redorbit.com/news/entertainment/182431/jury_out_as_polanski_libel_case_nears_end/index.html

[Jazzcomedian]

Sure when Polanski was 42, he drugged, raped, and sodomized a 13 year old girl, but he's made three great movies. I could see bringing Polanski to justice if he was a mailman, or janitor, or if his movies were bad, but his movies are good, so he should get a pass so he can keep skiing, and drinking champagne. . Why be successful if you can't get away with things like raping a 13 year old?

If you rape a girl and go to jail, it's your fault that you weren't successful or artistic enough, and you have to take responsibility. That's what keeps me on the straight and narrow. Everytime I think about committing a robbery, murder, or raping someone, I do a reality check, and realize I'm not successful enough to get away with it. . Once I get some money or fame all you unsuspecting victims watch out. Being unsuccessful is a powerful deterrent to crime

That's only fair. That's how life should work.

[Catherine1234]

You arguments in support of Mr. Polanski are inappropriate. Charles Manson also had a horrible childhood, should we forgive him too? He is old, and hasn’t killed any on for years, (He's probably reformed by now, don't you think?)

Showing “due contempt” for a child rapist shows due support for his victim, and all children victims. Do you think you are doing that here?

[dim]

Your bringing up Manson is inappropriate. His and his family's gruesome acts (laid out in detail on wikipedia) belong to a whole different category of mayhem.

[smartorange]

It was completely appropriate. Manson didn't even kill anyone, although I do believe he orchestrated the murders. The fact is that Polanski got justice. Manson and those who killed his wife and child are in jail. The woman who actually stabbed his wife just died recently in JAIL. Manson had a terrible life; he was abused as a child. None of it justifies his crimes, just like the sad history of Polanki's life does not justify raping a child. It may help to explain it, but it doesn't justify it.

[GarryLad]

Polanski is currently the oldest person in Swiss Custody. Facilities in our prisons are not geared for taking care of the elderly. This alone might stimulate the Swiss the act quickly on this. . I hope this issue gets resolved soon.

[petegrif]

"These horrors by no means excuse his crime, but they are mitigating factors, are they not?"

Not they do not. Let's just be absolutely clear about this, because some noodleheads seem to have lost the plot, to drug, assault, rape and sodomize a terrified 13 year old girl is a despicable crime. The overwhelming majority of people who commit such crimes and are found guilty get heavy sentences and most people in our society are perfectly happy that they do. I strongly suspect that many of those in jail today serving such heavy sentences have had desperate sad twisted lives.

There is a proper place for such factors that you describe as 'mitigating'. At the sentencing phase where they can be properly introduced and considered with more or less sympathy.

[Sezin]

I couldn't have said it better and agree with you 100%, petegrif.

[Yoga2009]

You're kidding right? My god, what have we become?

[AUDZ]

Would you like to do a documentary on my life that included a rape (the rapist has never faced charges because of people who would have judged me and not the rapist, because of his position of trust)? I have done some serious good but i am not world famous, simply locally well-known. But I guess that does not count. I feel genuinely sorry for Roman Polanski but more sorry for a child who was at the mercy of a system that did not mind one bit that she was exploited by everyone around her and still does not care one whit about the victims of people of power. Polanski set out to have sex with this child. Every move he made was designed to accomplish that very act. Some people think that is O.K., which I will never understand. But hey, who am I? Anyway my revenge was to live well, with confidence, and never let anyone take advantage of me again. Some days I thank my rapist for giving me the will to do just that. Like it or not he shaped my life.

[vintagejulie]

Seriously?

I really feel sorry for all those rapists in prison who had no idea the way to beat the rap was to just make some great films and voila you can prey on women and young women (he did have a relationship with a 15 year old after all) with no worries about the laws of society.

I am a movie buff, loved Chinatown and The Pianist, but in no way would I ever think that a film maker's genius means one can be excused from paying the cost of a crime against society.
Ugh.

[FTracy3]

Read the grand jury transcript. He drugged, raped, and sodomized a 13 year old. The thrust of your defense is "but he made some good movies." And all the US is doing is forcing him to face what would probably have been a lenient sentence considering the crime anyway. This is one of those issues where neither side can understand the other: on one side those who think child rape is no big deal if committed by someone we have liked for other reasons, on the other side everybody else who isn't connected to Hollywood in some way.

[AnneBea]

It has been seven years since Brian David Mitchell abducted Elizabeth Smart.... Is his crime against her less because he has found a way in the system to delay his sentencing? What about Jayce Duggard. It is 18 years since her kidnapping­...perhaps since then some would consider the sex consensual? Maybe both these men had terrible trauma in their lives. What a ridiculous debate.

[pennywhite]

Thank You!

[allamericanmale]

The reason for the recent arrest was based on the prosecution being fired up by the documentary you cite as well as his defense attorneys earlier this year trying to get the case dismissed because the authorities had NOT TRIED TO ARREST HIM AND SHOULD DROP THE CASE due to it being a false premise. No wonder they decided to beef up their efforts and get it over with. Roman needs to come on back to the states and take his medicine. No one is above the law and 13 year old drugged girls, nor their mothers, can give consent to 44 year old perverts.

He needs to man up and take his lenient sentence.

[mcl135]

To finish what Lisa Bloom and Joy Behar stated during the Anderson Cooper show was interesting.

Lisa Bloom felt the judge went out of his way to accommodate Polanski and the irony is he would probably have served less time in the seventies then he will being held in Switzerland awaiting extradition. Bloom finish by saying a survey taken yesterday showed seventy percent of the people in France believe he should be incarcerated and it is only the elites who have lined up to support him.

Joy Behar also stated Woody Allen's support was like the pot calling the kettle black. She also comments on Sharon Tate’s sister referring to the girl as a young woman and not a child.

I personally believe the Tate family has discredited themselves as victim right advocates.

[mcl135]

Another perspective was tonight on Anderson Cooper. Lisa Bloom explained Polanski was given a very sweet deal by pleading down to one count (charged with six felonies) of unlawful intercourse with a minor and there was a significant amount of evidence including photos, evidence on the child's undergarments and a witness in the home at the time of the rape.

Bloom then turned her attention on the negative press the judge was receiving which centers on him not following through with a plea deal. Bloom explained a plea deal is between a prosecutor and a defense attorney and a judge is not a party to the plea deal or a judge has his own discretion on sentencing. Basically judges do not need to “rubber stamp” a plea deal. Apparently what happened during this time was Roman Polanski finished his psychological evaluation early (forty-two days resulting in a recommendation for parole) and the judge went out of his way and let him travel to Europe to complete a movie. While in Europe, Polanski was photographed in a German beer hall flanked by two apparently young women. This irritated the judge, like it would any judge, due to the crime Polanski was convicted with and judge” suggested” he might impose a tougher sentence. But we will never know since Polansky fled prior to sentencing.