Defamation
Roman Polanski wins libel case
In recent years, several women have accused Polanski of sexual assault. photo
© Str/AP/dpa
In an interview, he called her rape allegations a lie. That’s why an actress sued filmmaker Roman Polanski. Now the verdict has been pronounced.
The Oscar winner (“The Pianist”) was not present when the verdict was announced. The 56-year-old Lewis, on the other hand, appeared close to tears on Tuesday. “I’m sad – sad for me, my son and my mother,” she said. She lost a long battle.
Polanski on allegations: “hideous lie”
Lewis sued Polanski after he dismissed her rape allegations as a “hideous lie” in the weekly magazine “Paris Match.” “The basic quality of a good liar is an excellent memory,” the filmmaker said in the interview – and pointed out alleged contradictions in Lewis.
In the interview, the director referred to statements made by the actress in an English magazine in which she said that she was fascinated by him and wanted to become his lover. She probably wanted him more than he wanted.
Lewis had said about the interview quoted by Polanski that many of the quotes attributed to her were not accurate. She was misquoted. After the director’s interview in “Paris Match” was published in December 2019, the actress filed a defamation lawsuit.
Lewis was 16 years old at the time
Lewis claimed at a press conference in 2010 that the director raped her in 1983. She was 16 years old at the time. However, she had not filed a lawsuit against Polanski. The Brit starred in the 1986 adventure film “Pirates” under his direction.
The public prosecutor’s office had already recalled in advance that the court verdict would not decide on the truth of the alleged rape or on the authenticity of the quotes attributed to the actress, but rather on whether Polanski had abused his freedom of expression or not.
Several women have accused Polanski of sexual assault
In recent years, several women have accused Polanski of sexual assault. The director has been on the run from US authorities since 1978 after being charged with sex with a minor. At the time, Polanski admitted to having illicit sex with a 13-year-old, but denied rape.
He fled the USA when a guilty verdict and a prison sentence became apparent. Polanski never traveled to the United States again. Just a few weeks ago, another allegation of abuse came up against him in the USA. The case is scheduled to go to trial in 2025.