The new film, “The Pianist,” is winning major awards, including nomination for a Golden Globe and film of the year of the National Society of Film Critics. It’s the story of a man who survives Nazi concentration camps. It’s also directed by Roman Polanski.
In among the accolades for his career and current film, the entertainment reporter on the local news threw in a little note that Polanski fled the US in 1977 to avoid going to jail for having had sex with a 13-year-old girl. This article mentions the matter.
I suppose we’ll see picketers outside the offices of the film’s distributor and movie theaters showing his film, right? Don’t count on it.
What makes what Polanski did any different from priests who abused children? Sure, Polanski isn’t a respected public figure who represents the presence of Christ to many people. But he is still a very public person and his fame could also have factored into the abuse. (I’ll admit I don’t know the details, despite my Internet research on it.)
I was a bit shocked to hear the news reporter dismiss the abuse and then go on to talk about what a great director he is. She even referred to him as the victim of misfortune. If a pervert priest were referred to in those terms, there would be rending of garments and gnashing of teeth. Just another example of the double standard.
Update: Check out this link for more information. Polanski pleaded guilty to drugging and sexually assaulting the girl. I wouldn’t see any of his movies if you paid me.
