Director
Trial of Roman Polanski in Paris
Director Roman Polanski has to stand trial in Paris. photo
© Sebastien Nogier/EPA/dpa
His films are considered masterpieces, but director Polanski is ostracized by many because of allegations of abuse. Now he has to answer for using harsh words against one of his alleged victims.
The acclaimed and controversial director had a disgusting lie Roman Polanski described actress Charlotte Lewis’ allegations of abuse in an interview. Because of his harsh words, he is now on trial in Paris for alleged libel. In addition to the 90-year-old filmmaker, the editor of the magazine “Paris Match”, in which the interview appeared at the end of 2019, also has to answer. Polanski himself is not expected in the courtroom at the start of the trial, but actress Lewis is.
In 2010, Lewis, a British woman, accused French-Polish director Polanski of sexually abusing her in the 1980s. “He knew I was 16 when he forced himself on me in his Paris apartment,” the actress said. Lewis had a small role in Polanski’s film “Pirates” (1986).
Polanski denied the allegations. In the “Paris Match” interview at the end of 2019, the director also referred to statements by the actress that, in his opinion, questioned the allegations: “The basic quality of a good liar is an excellent memory. Charlotte Lewis is always included in the list of my accusers , without ever pointing out these contradictions.” Lewis took legal action against this interview.
Numerous allegations against Polanski
And Lewis is far from the only woman who has made serious allegations against the maker of numerous cinematic masterpieces. Especially since the emergence of the #MeToo movement in 2017, several women have accused the filmmaker of sexual abuse, particularly in the 1970s. Allegations which he denies. In the wake of #MeToo, Polanski was also kicked out of the Oscar Academy in 2018. For many he has now become an undesirable person. He defended himself in the “Paris Match” in the “Paris Match.” People have been trying to “make a monster out of him” for years.
There has also been a case against Polanski in the USA for more than 40 years: Polanski is said to have drugged a 13-year-old in the villa of Hollywood star Jack Nicholson in 1977 and then raped her. Polanski pleaded guilty at the time and spent 42 days in psychiatric custody. The day before the official sentence was announced, he fled to France out of fear that his sentence would be extended. Since then, he has lived mostly in France and avoids visiting countries that have an extradition treaty with the United States.