Monday, September 28. 2009

that thing with polanski

Posted by rita in culture is ordinary
Comments (6) | Trackbacks (0)

so polanski got arrested 31 years after he commited the crime. drugging a 13-year old girl till she was completely off her rocker and then had sex with her -- which under the state law of california is automatically equaled to rape. the age-bit. not the drugging! personally, i wouldn't make that distinction. one is as bad as the other.

so that was in 1978. and he was arrested in switzerland of all places. polanski is now in his 70ies. his victim is in her 40s. in the past 31 years he has repeatedly said that he was sorry for what he has done. in the meantime the victim has forgiven him. only that rape is not a time-barred crime under california law.

and i have no idea where i stand on this case. part of me screams, 'SUE THE FUCKER! IT'S RAPE! OF A KID!!!' another part says, 'it was 31 years ago. he's never done any further harm. he has appologized. the victim said the case should be dropped.'

i am all in favour of taking this case to the court. but the whole affair and how polanski was arrested just rubbs the wrong way. why now? why in switzerland? i doubt this will be a fair trial. as i said, i am all for taking the case to the court. but all within just measure. i doubt he will receive it. and maybe that's what's bugging me.

it all seems so random. as if someone wants to state an example of polanski. look at him. that famous director, producer, rags-to-riches. his fame couldn't protect him, nor his rich friends. not even france!

yes. he should do penance. proper penance. not just throwing a big wad of money into someone's general direction. but he is also a 70-something. a healthy 70-something, true!, who can stand trial. but what comes after this trial would be something different. it's not comparable to what the victim has to face for the rest of her life. but does it justify that the old man's life might be shortened due to the stress behind bars?

i don't know where i am standing. all i know is that i would not want to be the judge of all this.

this is bound to get messy.

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Comments
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For me it's not a very difficult case - and he doesn't need a trial at all. He admitted guilt as part of the legal proceedings 30+ years ago, and fled before the sentencing could be carried out.

What burns my ass is the outpouring of support for him, mentioning in the same breath what a talented and creative and exceptional person he is. A French government official, no less, came awfully close to requesting special treatment for him.

But, at least nominally, the U.S.A. doesn't make special allowances for sex crimes, depending on how good you are at your art form.
#1 cliff1976 (Link) on 2009-09-29 07:32 (Reply)
you're right. that's another thing that doesn't sit right with me. the, 'get over it! he's a good guy. he makes films'-half. art doesn't excuse one bit. a lot of people also argue that he has faced enough hardships in life. fate is a bitch, but it still doesn't excuse what you mess up yourself.

maybe it's just the random nature of it all. people had 31 years time to arrest him and didn't bother to do anything till now. which makes last sunday appear as if it was decided on a whim. 'yeah, i heard polanski is sheduled to be here. ... got any plans for sunday?'
#1.1 rita on 2009-09-29 08:20 (Reply)
I agree with you. Crime,Confession, Trial. The only thing we need is the sentence and it doesn't matter whether it was 31 ago or not and whether he is an artist or a guy from next door.
Guess some extra months for fleeing justice might also be appropriate.

What makes me smile a bit is - as pointed out - it was in Switzerland (of all countries) and this oh-they-finally-did-it
#1.1.1 majorburns on 2009-09-29 09:38 (Reply)
the swiss. they are as neutral as pH 7.0! that's why i believe there's more to it than just your standard arrest for sexual assault.
#1.1.1.1 rita on 2009-09-29 10:09 (Reply)
you do?
so what would that be?
but you are right. the whole thing is kinda strange
#1.1.1.1.1 majorburns on 2009-10-01 09:22 (Reply)
i have no clue. but it certainly would have notjing to do with polanski but international politics. any other country and it would not have looked that suspicious. but it's switzerland. which makes it odd.
#1.1.1.1.1.1 rita on 2009-10-01 10:13 (Reply)

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