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Standing Ovation for Roman Polanski in Zurich

By Jeralyn, Section Media
Posted on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 11:53:21 PM EST
Tags: Roman Polanski (all tags)
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Roman Polanski has finally picked up his Lifetime Achievement Award at the Zurich Film Festival, two years after his ill-fated trip when he was arrested on a U.S. extradition warrant. He got a standing ovation. He quipped, ""Better late than never."

He has a new film, Carnage, that is being touted as his best film since The Pianist. And in a documentary filmed during his house arrest, he apologized to the woman (then age 13) in the infamous Los Angeles case:

"She is a double victim: my victim and a victim of the press," the Oscar-winning director says near the end of Laurent Bouzereau's Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir.

He also thanked the Swiss prison guards who watched over him during his house arrest.

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    Standing Ovation for Roman Polanski in Zurich | 37 comments (37 topical)

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    WOW (5.00 / 3) (#5)
    by MO Blue on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 07:57:32 AM EST
    A standing ovation. A life time achievement award. And he apologized to his victim while he includes her in a film that will bring her more public attention.

    I'm impressed.

    Isn't it wonderful that he was able to continue making films while under arrest.

    I just have (5.00 / 2) (#6)
    by lentinel on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 09:35:07 AM EST
    zero sympathy for this guy.
    He makes my skin crawl.

    Standing ovations happen for all sorts of people I don't like.
    I suppose I ought to get used to it.

    Parent

    Exactly (5.00 / 2) (#7)
    by Buckeye on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 10:55:45 AM EST
    just because the US justice system botched his case badly (judge was a clown) does not change who he is as a person.  I have never, nor will ever, watch one of his films.

    Parent
    In defense of LA Superior Court and (5.00 / 1) (#13)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:43:27 PM EST
    prosecutors, transcript from change of plea states Polanski agreed sentencing judge was free to impose any sentence.  Yes, this has been beaten to death here and elsewhere.  Just saying.

    Parent
    It may have been beaten to death here (none / 0) (#30)
    by Buckeye on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 09:34:59 AM EST
    but I have not read much.  What I have read shows the LA courts (especially the judge) were really bad.  If that is not true and you are right, then the judge is not a clown.  Polanski is just a creep, period.

    Parent
    It makes you wonder (none / 0) (#10)
    by nyjets on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 12:24:21 PM EST
    It makes you wonder what would of happened ff the justice system had not messed up. If the judge, and to a certain extent the prosector, had simply done there jobs, how many supporter would Polanski have.
    As much as I hate what Polanski did, I hate what the judge and prosector did even more.


    Parent
    Don't you "was"? (none / 0) (#12)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:03:57 PM EST
    because we don't really know who he "is" now.

    The Chinese used to say that if a person's left for five minutes, it's a mistake to assume it's the same person when they return.

    But we don't let go of anything in this country -- particularly if it's connected with an oppurtunity for righteous retribution.

    Parent

    Because some things are unforgivable (5.00 / 1) (#15)
    by nyjets on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:45:28 PM EST
    There are some actions that are both unforgetable and unforgivable. They define who that person is and there is nothing that the person can do to stop it.
    IMO, Polanski action with the young woman defined who he is.
    Mind you, I feel the same way about the judge who botched the case. That person is the one who created this mess to begin with.

    Parent
    see (none / 0) (#16)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:50:47 PM EST
    I don't see it that way.

    So, right here we have two different points of view
    on the subject.

    In this particular case, if the girl forgives, why can't you?

    Somebody's gotta pay.

    Iraq had ta be lethally injected after 9/11, ta make the folks all feel better..

    What a world.

    Parent

    Polanski and his victim settled (5.00 / 4) (#17)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:53:37 PM EST
    her civil lawsuit many years ago.  Not clear whether he ever fully pd. the agreed-upon settlement amount.  Query:  should persons of means who are charged with crimes avoid punishment for there criminal acts because they can afford to mollify the victim with $$$$.  My answer:  absolutely not.  Yes, it happens.  

    Parent
    you assume people avoid (none / 0) (#18)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:56:09 PM EST
    "punishment", because they're not publicly punished enough.

    Don't be so sure.

    Parent

    Yes. Every competent criminal defense (5.00 / 2) (#19)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:57:56 PM EST
    attorney argues, but, my client has suffered enough.  Effect on family.  Lost his/her job.  Publicity.  

    Parent
    beyond that (none / 0) (#21)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:04:26 PM EST
    but it would be getting into other "realms", that in the cynical world, would automatically make me an unreliable witness.

    Parent
    lets just say that, (none / 0) (#22)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:22:55 PM EST
    using the old iceberg metaphor, most of us get only the most cursory view of what others go through.. and endure...and sometimes rise above.

    And yes, that would include victims, perps, and everyone else in between.

    Parent

    Sure (5.00 / 1) (#23)
    by jbindc on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:41:22 PM EST
    Living in a France and being feted by celebrities is extremely cruel and unusual.

    Parent
    I had a friend (none / 0) (#24)
    by jondee on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:44:13 PM EST
    who was feted quite often right up until he offed himself one night.

    Parent
    I'm sorry for your friend (none / 0) (#25)
    by jbindc on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:45:23 PM EST
    But as you can clearly see, Polanski has not suffered any such fate.

    Parent
    It is not my place to forgive him (5.00 / 1) (#20)
    by nyjets on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:02:48 PM EST
    He commited no crime against me personally so whether or not I forgive him is not relevant.
    However, evertime I hear Roman Polanski's name, I will always remember what he did to that young woman. I will always remember him in that context. Forgiveness is not issue. It is simply how I will always  remember him.

     

    Parent

    Well this comment confuses me (5.00 / 2) (#26)
    by sj on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 03:45:59 PM EST
    It is not my place to forgive him

    Because what you said before was:

    Because some things are unforgivable (none / 0) (#15)
    by nyjets on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:45:28 PM EST

    There are some actions that are both unforgetable and unforgivable.

    As for Polanski, I'm not sure why I drop in on these threads.  I have very mixed feelings about this situation and am unable to resolve them :\

    Parent

    Fair and correct point (none / 0) (#27)
    by nyjets on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 04:13:02 PM EST
    I was not consistent with my comments.
    I guess what I meant was that the actions were unforgivable and as a result, his actions will always color my opinion on the man. IOW, I will always dislike the man because of what he did.


    Parent
    Gosh, do you apply your lovely (5.00 / 2) (#29)
    by Dr Molly on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 05:34:16 AM EST
    all-forgiving philosophy to everyone (including wall street bankers, right-wingers, HRC, PUMA's, etc), or reserve it only for sexual predators who harm women and girls?

    Because I seem to notice a difference in attitude.

    Parent

    Short answer: No (none / 0) (#31)
    by jbindc on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 10:26:40 AM EST


    Parent
    flay him (none / 0) (#35)
    by jondee on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 01:56:10 PM EST
    along with every careerist DA (and hired sycophant) who sent an innocent person to death row..

    See, there's the ole jondee you know and love.

    Parent

    Gosh (none / 0) (#32)
    by jondee on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 01:50:29 PM EST
    you have a point. I suppose I don't. I contain multitudes

    But I also don't get my rocks off (unlike some) playing, brave, eternally-acting-out-the-Old-Testament-diety's-wrath junior prosecutor  either. The system that enables the rich and powerful to do what (they think) they want has to change. Drastically, and very soon.

    That means camapign finance reform (not as OT as you think)

    Parent

    I see. (5.00 / 2) (#38)
    by Dr Molly on Fri Sep 30, 2011 at 06:42:31 AM EST
    So, the answer is 'yes' then -- you do reserve the philosophy of forgiveness and empathy you brought up here for sexual predators that harm women and children.

    Hmmm.

    Parent

    and I still can't spell (none / 0) (#33)
    by jondee on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 01:52:16 PM EST
    make a note of that in the righteous gal's book of "The Rules".

    Parent
    Ouch. Not sure how your scorn toward (none / 0) (#34)
    by oculus on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 01:52:40 PM EST
    fr. prosecutors and your point re campaign finance reform go together.  

    Parent
    Through money power (none / 0) (#36)
    by jondee on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 02:00:40 PM EST
    rich people, who protect the as*ses and interests of other rich people, get into positions of power.

    Parent
    That probably wouldn't be (5.00 / 1) (#37)
    by jbindc on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 02:28:47 PM EST
    ASsistnant prosecutors who are getting rich.  More likely a select group of defense attorneys.

    Parent
    OMG, a standing ovation! And a quip! (5.00 / 3) (#11)
    by sarcastic unnamed one on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 01:06:15 PM EST
    So impressed by his rise above his victimization.

    Mistakes were made. So infuriating. (5.00 / 1) (#14)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:45:18 PM EST


    Parent
    Patiently waiting (none / 0) (#1)
    by CoralGables on Tue Sep 27, 2011 at 11:55:02 PM EST
    for the oculus editorial.

    Me too. (none / 0) (#4)
    by Dr Molly on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 07:19:44 AM EST
    But likely not for the same reason.

    Parent
    Ha. A chill ran up my spine when I (none / 0) (#9)
    by oculus on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 11:14:32 AM EST
    saw J's headline.  Meanwhile, CNN says VDS is on video confessing murder.  Wonder if anyone booed Polanski?

    Parent
    Tragedy for all (none / 0) (#2)
    by koshembos on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 02:46:57 AM EST
    We still haven't closed the long sequence of tragedies that started with Sharon Tate's Manson murder, Polanski being the victim thereby, the young girl raped by Polanski, Polanski escape to Europe and eventually rebuilding his career for the 3rd time.

    In danger of sounding soft and emotional, I think we will be better off reaching a transatlantic compromised to close the book on this modern day tragedy.

    Cul de Sac, Repulsion... (none / 0) (#8)
    by Mr Natural on Wed Sep 28, 2011 at 10:58:53 AM EST
    Knife on the Water, Chinatown, The Tenant... Polanski was and remains a great film maker.

    Godwin (none / 0) (#28)
    by pcpablo on Thu Sep 29, 2011 at 04:57:23 AM EST
    Hitler got standing ovations.

    Standing Ovation for Roman Polanski in Zurich | 37 comments (37 topical)

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