Famed 76-year-old movie director Roman Polanski was arrested In Switzerland last week on charges of fleeing sentencing for the statutory rape of a 13-year old girl in Los Angeles . The crime occurred in 1977. Polanski admitted to having sex with the child and he was awaiting sentencing when he decided to flee to France .
France would not extradite Polanski for America 's active warrants. American official's have kept an eye on Polanski and have been ready to arrest him throughout the years. However, Polanski was careful not to travel to areas where there might have been a chance of being arrested, and extradited to the US . Throughout the years, he made many last minute travel changes to make sure he would not be caught in areas where extradition was possible. In short, he has been on guard for 31 years.
When arrested, some members of France 's government were angered. France 's Culture Minister Fredric Mitterrand said he "profoundly regrets that a new ordeal is being inflicted on someone who has already known so many during his life." He also said America was showing its ugly side by arresting him 31 years later.
Polanski also received support from Poland where he lived as a youngster. The Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said, "I am considering approaching the American authorities over the possibility of the US president proclaiming an act of clemency". Hollywood chimed in too. Bill Flicker, a film editor who once worked with Polanski said, "It's stupid and a waste of resources. I don't understand why they are doing this".
In 2003, Polanski won the Best Director Oscar for The Pianist and received a standing ovation. Of course, Polanski wasn't in the audience because he was a fugitive hiding in France . Actress Debra Winger said of the recent arrest, "We hope today this latest (arrest) order will be dropped. It is based on a three-decades-old case that is dead but for minor technicalities. We stand by him and await his release and his next masterpiece."
Many reports regarding this case simply state Polanski admitted having sex with a 13-year old girl. This sounds bad enough but it makes it sound too antiseptic, too easy and almost as if it were a simple mistake or even consensual in some way. Nothing is further from the truth. Grand Jury testimony shows that Polanski gave drugs and alcohol to the child before he penetrated her. In addition, it shows the child could hardly stand and stay coherent as she begged him to stop.
Some in France say America is showing its ugly side. I say America is showing its good side. It is showing its side where justice counts. It is showing its side where we stand up for the right thing to do, no matter what. Further, that we take care of our citizens, that if you rape a child you will have consequences, no matter what or when. In addition, for those in Hollywood who say Polanski is a brilliant director and a great contributor to the arts and we should let this old case just go away, I say, get out of your fantasy world. I say, get out and see what the real world is like. There is another world, a world where there is a right and wrong and where there are consequences to behavior. I say, get to know the world where artistic privilege does not exist and where the average American knows much more than the average Hollywood elitist does.
US officials did the right thing by pursuing Polanski. I would expect nothing less. This is one of those times I am proud to be an American.
