By Ryan Parsons | Image property of respective holders, Variety
Roman Polanski
I got to admit, I have mixed feelings about the arrest of Roman Polanski. Don't get me wrong, I at one time also thought he was still owed some punishment, but after looking into the details a bit further -- and watching the documentary on the director -- I better understood his position. Oh, and I hate the idea that the United States government is blowing millions of dollars in efforts to extradite him.
But, the US is having its way. Learning that Polanski would appear at the Zurich Film Festival to accept a Lifetime Achievement Award, the powers that be got a hold of Swiss officials to have the director arrested upon arriving at Zurich Airport.
Roman Polanski Under Arrest
I can only wonder what Roman Polanski was thinking his odds were of getting back from Switzerland. It's definitely not on his list of non-extradite territories -- though he has visited the country plenty of times and even owns property there -- and he must have known that he was gambling with US officials to accept his award; especially since his appearance was confirmed. After spending the last year trying to get the case he ran from back into court, maybe he was ready to be caught. It has been thirty years after all and he, like the victim, Samantha Gailey, is looking to get this case closed. As a matter of fact, Gailey, who has received a settlement already, wants the whole thing dropped.
I can't help but agree, especially considering that the first time the case was tried it was handled horribly. Polanski even played along until it seemed that he was going to be made an example of by a particularly narcisistic judge.
Now the first question is whether or not Polanski will actually make it to courts in the US. To get him over, he'd first have to agree or the decision would be put to Swiss courts; adding months of delay. One thing is for certain, however, as Polanski will not be making an award show that will still give him top honors.
"Obviously we had no knowledge whatsoever of the plans to arrest Roman Polanski," fest topper Karl Spoerri told the crowd of 650 who came to see the tribute. "The jury decided months ago to honor Roman Polanski. There was never any suggestion at any time from Polanski's management or from Swiss authorities that Polanski would be detained."
It should be noted that Polanski and his lawyers have been feverishly trying to get the case resolved, but there was always that little catch of Polanski refusing to come back to the United States to make a court appearance. Not that we can blame him, considering he'd be arrested upon landing.
If you don't know that much about Roman's sex crime, that he pleaded guilty to, you shoul dsee Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired.
Add to Heffee!
