he won an oscar, he gets a topic.
-THE PIANIST
-THE NINTH GATE
-DEATH AND THE MAIDEN
-BITTER MOON
-FRANTIC
-THE TENANT
-CHINATOWN
-ROSEMARYS BABY
-THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS
-REPULSION
actually i just watched FRANTIC which was severely dated in the late 80s and not very good and i just wanted a thread to post that in. so for future polanski discussion, there is now a place for all ye wanderers. ive actually seen the pianist (liked), the ninth gate (liked), frantic (disliked), chinatown (loved), and rosemarys baby (loved). but next up i am watching death and the maiden and in october ill rent the fearless vampire killers.
i've only seen THE PIANIST from him but i really really loved it. how could this brilliant film not win the oscar for best picture? i mean, i didn't see CHICAGO yet but i doubt it's better than THE PIANIST. it was so well directed and made. all around a great film!
Not to mention my favorite film of his, Repulsion, which for my money is a hell of a lot scarier than Rosemary's Baby.
I strongly recommend Cul-de-Sac. I just love this film! I think it's his best, certainly the funniest. It won the golden Bear at Berlin in 66.
I regret not ever watching Repulsion nor Chinatown, I've heard great things about them.
Unfortunately, I've boycotted his films. I don't want a blatant rapist to get money from my wallet.
Quote from: punchdrunk23Unfortunately, I've boycotted his films. I don't want a blatant rapist to get money from my wallet.
That's a silly statement. I'm sure that of all the movies you've watched, all the music you've listened to, hell, possibly all the sports you've watched, there has been hundreds of people convicted of worse crimes than he has. You don't know the private lives of the people you respect and admire past the reported incidents.
His art shouldn't have to be judged by who he is as a person, be it a pedophile or a philantropist or whatever. Some of his finest work was made before that incident anyway.
I understand the fact that you don't want to support a rapist. I just don't think the nickel he'll get from you buying one of his DVDs is gonna affect him too greatly. Samantha Geimer herself publicly addressed the Academy saying, in effect, that something he did nearly thirty years ago should not affect how the public view his art.
aw
ps-Thought I heard Jack Nicholson was in the house when Polanski raped her. Anyone wanna verify that?
You're correct. Ol' Jack was in the house. Maybe it is silly that I boycott his films, but it angers me greatly that he can get away with what he did just because of his 'art'.
How old was she, anyway, 13?
Some 13 year old girls who are starting in showbiz think that they are already 17/18... Then they regret it, get histerical and say they were raped. Plus he had recently lost his eight-month pregnant wife due to the manson family murders, so I respect him a lot.
But he raped her for chrissakes! Doesn't anyone see that? What if you found out your next door neighbor, who you've barbecued with for years, and in general have been the best of friends with, raped a 13 year old. And he'd just lost his wife in some gruesome fashion. Would you take it easy on him just because of his tragic loss? :x
Don't let celebritydom cloud your moral judgement dude.
Quote from: punchdrunk23You're correct. Ol' Jack was in the house. Maybe it is silly that I boycott his films, but it angers me greatly that he can get away with what he did just because of his 'art'.
Good call, though I think his "get[ting] away" was a combination of his art and actually leaving the country. Regardless, he is a criminal...
aw
Yes punchdrunk, that was some really nasty shit he did, but I really like his films and he wouldn't have done them if he went to jail.
What I was trying to say is that one should take in mind how and where the rape took place: It was some kind of party, He was photografing the girl in some kind of spa, she might have looked older and feel sofisticated, she might have wanted to have sex too, you know?
Anyway, this is pure speculation. She forgave him and she was the victim so I forgive him as well.
i like frantic
i love his films and hav purchased a copy of each at least 3 times. often i waited until they were not on sale.
i think i'll buy another copy of Tess tonite. i hope he keeps on making many more movies, so i can keep on paying to watch and own them. forever.
Quote from: jokerspathQuote from: punchdrunk23Unfortunately, I've boycotted his films. I don't want a blatant rapist to get money from my wallet.
That's a silly statement. I'm sure that of all the movies you've watched, all the music you've listened to, hell, possibly all the sports you've watched, there has been hundreds of people convicted of worse crimes than he has. You don't know the private lives of the people you respect and admire past the reported incidents.
His art shouldn't have to be judged by who he is as a person, be it a pedophile or a philantropist or whatever. Some of his finest work was made before that incident anyway.
I understand the fact that you don't want to support a rapist. I just don't think the nickel he'll get from you buying one of his DVDs is gonna affect him too greatly. Samantha Geimer herself publicly addressed the Academy saying, in effect, that something he did nearly thirty years ago should not affect how the public view his art.
aw
ps-Thought I heard Jack Nicholson was in the house when Polanski raped her. Anyone wanna verify that?
I agree. Also, I believe it was Jack's house that this happened in, but Jack was not present.
And, even though people are gonna be pissed, I really don't care what Polanski did. I personally know that several (read: many many) hot chicks, when I was starting high school, had older boyfriends (they were 14-15, the guys were 23+), went to parties, did a ton of drugs, and got fucked. I highly doubt this was an innocent little girl that Roman lured into his car with a tootsie roll. She was at a Hollywood pool party in her bikini, letting him take pictures of her. What the fuck? Obviously she wanted to be there. Now I know he should have made a judgement call, but we can't just remove her from the blame. Sheep who wanna graze in wolves' pastures are gonna occasionally get eaten.
That being said, I think Chinatown is a fucking masterpiece. And I'd really like to see Knife In The Water.
:shock: wow, now i feel bad. i wasnt aware of any of that raping stuff. if i'd have known he was having such a rough time, i would've stopped watching his movies and just started sending envelopes of cash to
ROMAN POLANSKI RAPE FUND
keep on rapin!
who are we, US Weekly? are we here to talk about movies or are we here to dish about Ashton and Demi? (although from what I hear they are hot and heavy these days!)
Haha, this thread is so fucked up
Rapist or not, I find Chinatown to be (though I hate to use this word) overrated. And the rest of his work, though I haven't seen it yet, appears to be rather slight. I will of course reserve my judgment for when I can see some more of it, but his films seem to be just a drop in the bucket compared to others.
saying things are overrated is overhyped. did you like the movie or didnt you?
My saying it's overrated is not overhyped. It's a matter of fact of my opinion on the film. So many critics say it's one of the best ever, but I say it's not. Hence, "overrated" by others.
Me, I didn't necessarily dislike it, but I didn't like it too much either. I'd give it 6/10 (**½/****) if you're looking for some sort of rating. The ending was a disjointed downer, and there were too few memorable scenes to make it mesh. The fish plate, and Jack's character's nose getting cut were the only two things really of note there.
Well, you're entitled to your own opinion....
but the ending to me was perfection. It made the movie.
Too many endings often do make or break a movie, which is a shame, but also important to understand. Perhaps the fact that I watched it on a cruddy, aging VHS didn't help matters, but it really marred a lot of the third act. It was on two VHSes, too, so that didn't help much, either. The ending just seemed rather foolish to me, nonsensical, disorganized, and gloomy for the sake of gloom. *shrug*
another great film from earlier in polanski's career is KNIFE IN THE WATER. small character study/chamber drama --prettty much 3 characters on a boat -- great film -- i dont think it's on dvd... ive been waiting for eyars for the tenant -- i think it has arrived, i need to go pick it up.
For anyone interested in what Polanski's scandal involved see.
http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html
Regardless of everything there...I think Polanski is an amazing filmmaker and I really want and need to see more of his movies.
i know its terrible, but was i the only one who laughed when i got to the
before he "put his penis in my butt." part? :lol: :shock: ohmigod.
Oh no, modernage, he got you too?
Roman Polanski & Ronald Harwood Making Oliver Twist
Source: Variety
Roman Polanski and screenwriter Ronald Harwood, who won Oscars this year for The Pianist, have reteamed for a feature adaptation of Charles Dickens' Oliver Twist. It will be Polanski's next film which he plans to shoot in Europe next summer, using a British cast.
Polanski said it would be a challenge to condense Dickens' 456-page book into a two-hour film, but he was inspired to make the film by his own children, now 10 and 5 years old.
Also joining Polanski on Oliver Twist are "Pianist" producers Alain Sarde and Robert Benmussa. Working with the filmmaker's reps at ICM, they plan to finance the new film much as they did "Pianist," seeking a domestic distributor only after the film is completed.
Charles Dickens' story is that of an orphan who runs away from a workhouse and meets a pickpocket on the London streets. He joins a household of young boys who are trained to steal for their master.
tonite i watched The Fearless Vampire Killers, which was funny but 15 minutes too long. (leonard maltin gave it 3 1/2 stars and called it "near-brilliant". weird i've never heard anyone talk about it ever). and also Repulsion, which was bizarre, but i didnt think it was very scary. she was a pretty freaked out chick though.
does anyone know if 'repulsion' is coming out on dvd anytime soon? i'd love to see that...
Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist Starting on June 21
Source: Variety
Oliver Twist, Roman Polanski's take on Charles Dickens' classic tale and the helmer's followup to his Oscar-winning The Pianist, will begin shooting June 21 in Prague.
Producers Alain Sarde and Robert Benmussa have lined up many of the "Pianist" team, including Polish-based production designer Allan Starski. Starski is beginning pre-production in Poland before preparing in Prague in late February. The film, about young pickpockets in 19th-century London, is scheduled for a 15- to 20-week shoot and a Thanksgiving 2005 release.
"It's a huge project," Benmussa told Variety, "It's a two-year job. After the heavy emotional and personal story of 'The Pianist,' Polanski wanted to make a family film. We spent a year reading scripts and searching for the right story. Then we discovered the last film of 'Oliver Twist' was made by David Lean in 1948. There was a musical in 1968, but Lean's was the last straight version."
Budgeted at about $60 million, the film will take over most of Barrandov Studios, shooting on soundstages and the large backlot. Although writer Ronald Harwood is expected to deliver the finished product in March, casting has already begun, focusing first on children. The cast should be completely British.
Sadly I've only seen Chinatown. I remember seeing the beginning of Frantic years ago and not being impressed. Anyways, I should really see more of his films. Chinatown was entertaining but I didn't get the 'great' sense that others have pinned on it. It is a solidly constructed film though.
About the whole rape thing...I was just upset that he won an Oscar at a ceremony he could not attend b/c he has a fled the country to escape further prosecution. Sure, your films should be exhibited, but he should not even be looked at by the Academy. If he comes back and this whole thing is finally settled, fine.
i saw The Tenant last night, and i must say i did not enjoy it. It seemed like it could have ended earlier. And the starring role should have been played by someone else the polanski himself. The whole film seemed like it was building up to something big, and then the ending was exactly like i perdicted.
I just purchased the criterion Knife in the Water a few days ago. I hadn't seen it before and really liked it. It was IMO one of his best. The second disc has all of his short films on it as well. Some were school assignments others were obviously experiments. I'm really happy with the purchase. I can definitely recommend it.
I Chinatown was great but I agree with Onomo that it's overrated. I can appreciate it, but it's regarded as one of the best films.
The Tenant, although it has some interesting parts is pretty bad. I bought it a Wal-mart for $5 and I don't think it's worth much more.
As far as his raping fiasco, none of us were there, it's hard to make a judgement either way. I wish he would have faced up to it instead of fleeing the country. 18 year olds are young enough, why would you need to go lower?
I do think art stands by itself regardless of the artist who created it.
Ben Kingsley Starring in Polanski's Oliver Twist
Source: Variety
Variety reports that Ben Kingsley will play Fagin and 10-year-old English actor Barney Clark will essay the title role in Roman Polanski's Oliver Twist. Polanski has also cast Jamie Foreman as Bill Sykes and Frank Finlay as Mr. Brownlow in his adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel.
The film, which starts a four-month shoot July 12 in Prague, is produced by Alain Sarde and Robert Benmussa, the team behind Polanski's The Pianist. It will be shot entirely in the Czech Republic, with interiors and exteriors built on Barrandov Studios' backlot.
Many of the key creatives also worked on The Pianist, led by screenwriter Ron Harwood, lenser Pawel Edelman, costume designer Anna Sheppard, production designer Allan Starski and editor Herve de Luze.
Yeah, some of his movies are really outstanding. Especially I love "The Fearless Vampire Killers" and "Chinatown".
BTW, you all should read Polankis autobiography. It's really very, very interesting and gives you also an interesting look at the film industry in Hollywood in the late 60s / 70s.
It also has some really funny parts, esp when Polanski took LSD for the first time or had huge partys with lots of drugs together with Jack Nicholson and Bob Evans. That must've been a great time.
Anyway, he DIDN'T rape the girl. He tells the whole story in the book and I definately believe him. And Jack wasn't in the house at that time, only Anjelica Huston came in after Roman and the girl had sex. She was an experienced girl and when they started kissing each other after swimming in the pool she took off her clothes and they had sex, he didn't rape her.
i've read in the newspaper today that Polanski's producer, or "The pianist"'s producer was indicted of/for corruption.
Polanski Asks UK Lords to Let Him to Sue from Afar
Lawyers for film director Roman Polanski will ask England's highest court this week to allow him to sue for libel while avoiding the risk of being extradited to the United States for child sex offences.
The case is being widely seen as a test action on the rights of libel claimants to sidestep the need to attend court to give evidence in person.
Polanski, a celebrated director who fled the U.S. in 1977 after admitting having sex with a child, wants to sue America's Vanity Fair magazine over an article he says defamed him by accusing him of seducing a woman who was with another man.
The article claimed he propositioned the woman in a New York restaurant when he stopped there on the way to the funeral of his actress wife, Sharon Tate, who was murdered in 1969.
The Franco-Polish director is seeking to use the English courts for the libel action -- which Vanity Fair's publishers Conde Nast are contesting -- but is scared to come to Britain for fear of being extradited to the United States as a "fugitive from justice."
Media law experts say Polanski chose to use the English justice system because UK libel laws are more advantageous to litigants than those in the United States.
Polanski pleaded guilty in a California court 27 years ago to having unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl. Soon afterwards, before the court had handed down a sentence, he fled the United States and has not returned since.
Since Britain has an extradition agreement with the U.S. Polanski risks arrest and extradition were he to set foot on English soil.
The Court of Appeal ruled last year that Polanski should not be allowed to give evidence via video link from Paris, where he now lives, since this would be allowing him to use judicial process when it suits him, but avoid it when it does not.
"The court should not be seen to assist a claimant who is a fugitive from justice to evade sentence for a crime of which he has been convicted," Lord Justice Jonathan Parker, one of the Court of Appeal's three judges, said at the time.
"Clearly, the court's general policy should be to discourage litigants from escaping the normal processes of the law, rather than to facilitate this," the appeal court ruling said.
But Polanski's lawyers will ask five law lords sitting in England's highest court, the House of Lords, on Wednesday to overturn previous court rulings that he must appear in person.
David Hooper, a media law specialist with leading law firm Reynolds Porter Chamberlain, who are advising Vanity Fair, said the Appeal Court decision could, if upheld by the law lords prove a "knock-out blow" to Polanski's case against Vanity Fair.
The law lords are expected to hear the case for two days, then reserve their judgment and give a decision in writing early next year.
Last night I played a game of Trivial Pursuit (Fourth Edition) with a group of friends. I was the only team member to earn pieces of pie for my team. Our first question asked something like what Roman Polanski film had to do with an investigation of the water supply in California? I screamed, "Chinatown!"
I was the only one in the room that had even seen it. Hooray for me.
Note- The group of friends I played with was my group of friends from History of Film Class. Shows what they know or lack there of.
Quote from: BethieLast night I played a game of Trivial Pursuit (Fourth Edition) with a group of friends. I was the only team member to earn pieces of pie for my team. Our first question asked something like what Roman Polanski film had to do with an investigation of the water supply in California? I screamed, "Chinatown!"
I was the only one in the room that had even seen it. Hooray for me.
Note- The group of friends I played with was my group of friends from History of Film Class. Shows what they know or lack there of.
Sorry, the correct answer is "Moops."
There's NO moops. YOU IDIOT!
Polanski's sex life under spotlight in libel case
Roman Polanski's personal life was put under the spotlight on Monday at the start of a libel trial in which the director testified via video link from Paris to avoid extradition to America for sex with an underage girl.
Polanski is suing the publishers of Vanity Fair magazine for an article in July 2002 alleging he tried to seduce a woman while on his way to his slain wife's funeral in 1969.
He was speaking from Paris to avoid the risk of extradition from Britain to the United States, where is he wanted after pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977. He cannot be extradited from his native France for the crime.
"You are a fugitive from morality," said lawyer Thomas Shields, representing Vanity Fair publishers Conde Nast.
Polanski had just admitted having "casual sex" with other women before and during his marriage to Tate, as well as once four weeks after her murder and at least one incident of having sex with two females at the same time, one of them aged 15.
"You are putting it in a grotesque way," Polanski responded, before proceedings were adjourned until Tuesday.
Lawyers expect the trial, the first in which a libel claimant has sued via video link, to last about a week.
Hollywood actress Mia Farrow and Tate's sister Debra are expected to take the witness stand on Tuesday.
Earlier in the proceedings, Polanski choked with emotion as he described his love for Tate, who was murdered by followers of the Charles Manson clan when eight-and-a-half months pregnant.
"Sharon was sweet, bright, brilliant. She had a great sense of humour ... she was in my eyes the perfect woman," he said.
The 71-year-old also described his reaction to reading the Vanity Fair article, which includes a passage quoting him telling the "Swedish beauty" he was trying to seduce: "I will make another Sharon Tate of you."
"I was in a state of shock," he said. "This was the worst thing ever written about me. It's absolutely not true. But I think it was particularly hurtful, because it dishonors my memory of Sharon," he added.
POLANSKI: A RESPONSE TO TRAGEDY
During Shield's cross examination, Polanski defended his promiscuity after his relationship with Tate.
"The death of Sharon ... was an immeasureable shock to me, and in such moments some people turn to drugs, some to alcohol, some go to a monastery, for me it was sex."
He also recalled the media reaction to Tate's murder, which he said implied that it was the moral bankruptcy of her and her friends that was to blame.
"I felt they were being assassinated for the second time," he said.
The jury watched a recording of a 1969 press conference Polanski gave shortly after Tate's murder and a 1984 interview during which he discussed sex and his days as a boy in Poland fleeing the Nazis at the start of World War II.
Polanski's mother died in a concentration camp.
Both sides in the case now accept Polanski was not at the restaurant, as alleged, en route to Tate's funeral in Los Angeles, but was there within three or four weeks of the murder.
Vanity Fair says the gist of the article is still correct. Polanski says no such incident took place.
Polanski's lawyer, John Kelsey-Fry, drew a distinction between his client's sex life and the alleged incident in Elaine's restaurant in New York 26 years ago.
"This case is not about sex," he said in opening arguments. "It is about that breathtaking and callous indifference to her death and memory that such conduct would require."
Quote from: MacGuffinPolanski had just admitted having "casual sex" with other women before and during his marriage to Tate, as well as once four weeks after her murder and at least one incident of having sex with two females at the same time, one of them aged 15.
truly one of the greatest.
At least she wasn't their Nanny.
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chenardwalcker.com%2Fphotos%2FSharonTate2.jpg&hash=667121089fbf224f824898e53d05b1c46cb799ff)
how could you cheat on her, really?
Mia Farrow in court recalls distraught Polanski
Hollywood actress Mia Farrow said on Tuesday Roman Polanski was in "really bad shape" when he was alleged to have tried to seduce a woman in a restaurant while on his way to his slain wife's funeral.
In a libel case that has shone a spotlight on the film director's promiscuity, Farrow described him as distraught during an evening they spent together in 1969 at Elaine's restaurant in New York.
Polanski is suing the publishers of Vanity Fair for a 2002 article which alleged he tried to seduce a "Swedish beauty" at Elaine's, although the magazine now admits the incident took place several weeks after Sharon Tate was buried.
"He was in really bad shape at that time," a soft-spoken Farrow told a packed London courtroom. Farrow starred in Polanski's 1968 film "Rosemary's Baby."
Wearing a black trouser suit and gold blouse, the 60-year-old recalled how she and Polanski left the restaurant and walked around the block.
"He was unable to talk about anything else. When we walked around and around, he kept saying 'Why?' and 'Who could have done this?"'
Under cross examination from Vanity Fair's lawyer, Thomas Shields, Farrow admitted there were parts of the evening that remained hazy in her mind, although she insisted she remembered the "central part."
Shields suggested Farrow may have left Polanski at Elaine's, and that the alleged incident may have taken place then.
When asked what she thought about Polanski's own admission of having casual sex with women shortly after Tate's murder, she replied:
"I feel there's a big distinction, especially for a man, between relationships and having sex. I could never pass judgment if someone in that frame of mind seeks comfort in any way that does not harm anyone."
TEARS, TRUTH
Polanski has appeared in the London courtroom via video link from Paris as he is wanted in the United States after pleading guilty to having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
He would risk extradition if he came to England to fight his case but cannot be extradited from France, where he was born.
Shields has focused on Polanski's private life and patchy memory of the late 1960s to undermine his objections to the article.
Addressing Polanski, Shields said he had an "inability to tell the truth when it matters," and added: "The line between fantasy and reality has been hopelessly blurred."
The director responded by questioning the memory of those who said the incident took place at Elaine's.
"I am more and more astonished by this phenomenal memory these people have," he said.
Polanski has admitted in court to having sex with a woman within one month of Tate's death, and within four months of the murder seeking solace in sex with "nubile" teenagers from finishing school in Gstaad, Switzerland.
Tate was stabbed to death in 1969 by followers of the Charles Manson clan when she was eight-and-a-half months pregnant.
He burst into tears on Tuesday when questioned about photographs of the murder scene he was shown by police in 1969. Debra Tate, Sharon's sister, also cried in court.
In the witness box, she described Polanski as an "absolute wreck" around the time of Tate's death.
"He was heavily sedated to the point that he couldn't walk without assistance."
Quote from: themodernage02(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chenardwalcker.com%2Fphotos%2FSharonTate2.jpg&hash=667121089fbf224f824898e53d05b1c46cb799ff)
how could you cheat on her, really?
oh, he found a way..
Polanski propels 'Pompeii'
Director to tackle biggest project yet
Source: Variety
Roman Polanski's next directing effort will be his biggest undertaking yet in terms of scale, subject and budget.
"Pompeii" is a dramatic thriller set against the backdrop of Mt. Vesuvius just before and during its eruption. The budget is projected to be $130 million, the director said.
It is based on the bestseller of the same name by "Fatherland" novelist Robert Harris, who is writing the script. Filming will begin in Italy this summer.
"Pompeii" will be produced by Polanski and Robert Benmussa of RP Productions, along with Alain Sarde. It will draw on private funding sources, as was the case with many of the director's previous projects.
"It will be handled like our last two films," Polanski said, "as an independent European production." No studio or distribution partners as yet have been approached, he said.
Pic's protagonist is a young engineer who has to repair an enormous aqueduct whose destruction threatens the Roman Empire. He finds himself enmeshed in politics and romance. The film takes place over three days and the final act is the volcanic eruption and the destruction of the aqueduct, which stretched 60 miles and served hundreds of thousands of people.
"I got seduced by the writing," Polanski told Daily Variety. "In general terms, when someone tells me to make a movie set in ancient times, I say it's not my cup of tea. But I liked that it was a thriller and I have read all of his books and there is such minute detail. He goes very far into the research."
Plus, the "Chinatown" helmer added, "There is corruption in connection with water."
Polanski, who won an Oscar for "The Pianist," last directed "Oliver Twist." He also played a supporting role in the Brett Ratner-directed "Rush Hour 3" for New Line.
Telling a period story of a volcano's eruption will take Polanski into event movie territory. Though "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" were certainly landmarks, they were before the term "tentpole" came into use, and Polanski's top-grossing release in the years since has been $32 million for "The Pianist."
"It will be very dependent on visual effects," he noted. "I don't like to brandish effects, but the truth is that there have been a lot. 'Pianist' had about 200 CGI effects and 'Oliver Twist' had at least 400. It's always a challenge to do something a little different, but that's what keeps me going."
Polanski pushes 'Pompeii' forward
Italian rights sold
Source: Variety
Roman Polanski's "Pompeii" is percolating.
Italy's RAI Cinema has acquired all Italian rights to the historical tentpole set against the backdrop of the Mt. Vesuvius eruption, and Spain's spanking new Ciudad de la Luz studios is inked as the Roman-era thriller's main production hub.
Following a fierce bidding war with Medusa, RAI plunked down a handsome sum — said to be in $10-15 million range — for "Pompeii," which has a projected $130 million budget.
Deal was inked by RAI Cinema topper Giancarlo Leone with Polanski and producer Robert Benmussa's RP Productions, which is producing along with Alain Sarde.
Summit Entertainment has also recently come on board to handle worldwide sales, excluding one or two European territories, besides Italy.
Pathe Distribution is in negotiations to take French rights.
Meanwhile, Polanski, Benmussa, and project's line producer Daniel Champagnon, have inked with Spain's Ciudad de la Luz to base the production in the Valencian facility. This will allow them to tap into sweet new local 12%-18% tax rebates capped at Euros 5.4 million ($7.2 million).
Valencia's Sorolla Films will very possibly enter as a co-producer, channelling the regional rebates into the film. Polanski and Benmussa have also recently approached a raft of Spanish producers and TV channels to co-produce "Pompeii" — one of the costliest European film projects ever. They aim to raise $13 million for Spanish rights.
Pic has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot.
Polanski, Benmussa and Sarde in March dispatched set designer Allan Starski to scout the real Pompeii archeological site in Italy and view Roman artifacts in the nearby Naples Archeological Museum. Starski and his assistants on their visit drew sketches and measured columns and mosaics.
But while Italy's Campania region film commission is proposing incentives to lure the "Pompeii" production to lens on site, 90% of the shoot is expected to be done on Spanish soundstages, backlots and locations. Plus, Polanski has said this pic will be big on CGI effects.
Scribe Robert Harris and Polanski are putting the final touches to the screenplay draft of "Pompeii," which adapts Harris' eponymous period tale of the famously catastrophic volcanic eruption.
"Pompeii" will tap an A-list Hollywood star to play the lead role of Marco Attilio Primo, a young Roman engineer sent to Pompeii in A.D.79, just days before the devastating eruption of Mt. Vesuvius.
Several European actresses, including a top Italian thesp, are under consideration for the lead femme role.
Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii
ComingSoon.net has learned that Oscar winner Roman Polanski (The Pianist) is in talks with Orlando Bloom ("Pirates of the Caribbean" and "The Lord of the Rings" trilogies) and Scarlett Johansson (The Prestige) to star in his historical tentpole Pompeii.
Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Robert Harris (author of "Archangel" and "Fatherland"), Pompeii tells the story of the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in A.D. 79 through the eyes of a young engineer, Marcus Attilius Primus, who is sent to repair the greatest aqueduct in the Roman Empire, which brings water to 250,000 people on the Bay of Naples. Attilius not only has to fight the corrupt forces that control the town of Pompeii, but ultimately the overwhelming power of nature itself.
The film has a projected August start with plans for a five month shoot. Polanski co-wrote the script with Harris.
Quote from: MacGuffin on May 10, 2007, 06:03:17 PM
Bloom and Johansson in Talks for Pompeii
That's depressing. Polanski reminds me of Scorsese. He's a major talent, but bad decisions have produced an uneven career and now with age going against him, he is taking on very questionable projects. Scorsese and Polanski appreciate genre and try to excel at it, but Polanski is the easily the master of the two. Only he could have made a film like The Tenant a personal and telling work, but the addition of these actors in Pompeii have made my heart sink.
I watched The Pianist again recently. It is still a great work. I understood why he did Oliver Twist, but I'm expecting the worst in Pompeii now.
POLANSKI PULLS OUT OF 'POMPEII' AFTER SUMMIT VOICES CONCERNS OVER SCHEDULING
Source: Hollywood Wiretap
Roman Polanski has pulled out of the production of epic drama "Pompeii" due to scheduling conflicts. Screendaily.com says the director withdrew after Summit International said it may have to postpone principal photography in Europe next summer due to concerns over a possible industry strike.
Summit is selling worldwide rights and is searching for a replacement director with producers Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde who have traditionally been Polanski's collaborators.
"I put a lot of work and energy into the development of 'Pompeii,' so it is not without regret that I have to decline my further involvement," Polanski said.
"In order to ensure that a film of this caliber and scale is produced in the manner required, the producers have pushed back the film to a time that will accommodate the production needs," Summit International chief executive officer Patrick Wachsberger said.
"While we are saddened that Roman will not be available to direct the film, we know we will work with the renowned film-maker and our friend in the near future."
"We understand that Roman cannot wait indefinitely for a start date after having worked on this project for more than nice months," said Benmussa and Sarde.
Based on Robert Harris' novel, Pompeii centers on a young engineer caught up in political intrigue as Mount Vesuvius is about to erupt.
Summit had already completed sales to Nordisk Film, IDC in Mexico and Brazil, Mars in South Korea, Pathe in France, RAI/01 in Italy, SPI in Eastern Europe and Antena 3 Television for release through DeAPlaneta in Spain.
Summit and Benmussa had also sealed a co-production partnership with Germany's Constantin Film, France's R P Productions and Ensueno, the production division of Spain's Antena 3 Television.
The film had been being prepped to shoot at Ciudad De La Luz in Alicante Spain.
From DVDFile:
The classic Roman Polanski thriller Repulsion is coming to DVD from Sony on 4 December. This scary flick starring the gorgeous and one-of-a-kind Catherine Deneuve will arrive with a new anamorphic widescreen transfer (which is good, because the film's last DVD transfer stunk) and a cleaned-up mono mix (no bonuses will be included). SRP is $14.99.
God, I loved it when Catherine Deneuve played those hot sexually repressed women. She was really stunning!
Polanski returns with 'Ghost'
Director to adapt Robert Harris' political novel
Source: Variety
Roman Polanski will direct political thriller "The Ghost" as his next feature.
Robert Harris will team with Polanski to adapt Harris' novel of the same name, published last month by Simon & Schuster, for the bigscreen.
Story centers on a ghostwriter who is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister. He uncovers secrets that put his own life in jeopardy.
Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde will produce the film, slated to begin shooting in Europe next fall.
Polanski had been working on the $100 million epic "Pompeii" for 18 months with frequent collaborators Benmussa and Sarde, but he jettisoned that project in September.
Summit Intl., which has a long-standing relationship with Polanski and the producers, will represent worldwide rights to "The Ghost."
"I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and 'The Ghost' could not be more perfect," Polanski said. "Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down."
Harris noted that most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house during the middle of winter, which he dubbed "classic Polanski territory."
The director also partnered with producers Benmussa and Sarde on "The Pianist" and "Oliver Twist."
Chapa preps Polanski bio
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Roman Polanski, who has filmed many tragic stories over the years, will soon see his own tragedy-filled life brought to the big screen in an unauthorized biopic.
Amadeus Pictures head Damian Chapa will write, produce and direct "Polanski," which will include passages about the director's childhood in Poland during the Holocaust; the murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by followers of Charles Manson in 1969; and his conviction for sex with a minor that has kept him out of the U.S. for decades.
"It's a very intense story we're going to carefully base on court documents and public-domain records," Chapa said. "I've looked at the court documents of his (statutory rape) case, and they're so brash and in-your-face. What happened there has overshadowed his whole life yet also been swept under the carpet. I've always been fascinated by his story and couldn't understand why no one has done a movie about him."
ICM, which reps Polanski, did not offer any comment by press time.
The project will begin principal photography in January in Belgium, Poland and the U.S., with Chapa playing Polanski's early collaborator, Polish producer Eugene Gutowski. Chapa said the title role will be cast in the next few weeks.
Actor-turned-filmmaker Chapa has directed and starred in several low-budget Amadeus films, including "I.R.A. -- King of Nothing," with Rachel Hunter, and "Shade of Pale," with Gary Busey. His latest, "Fuego," with David Carradine, was shopped at the recent AFM.
Quote from: MacGuffin on November 08, 2007, 08:49:11 PM
Actor-turned-filmmaker Chapa has directed and starred in several low-budget Amadeus films, including "I.R.A. -- King of Nothing," with Rachel Hunter, and "Shade of Pale," with Gary Busey. His latest, "Fuego," with David Carradine, was shopped at the recent AFM.
so who's gonna play polanski in his next straight-to-video abomination? patrick swayze? dustin diamond?
EXCLUSIVE: Nicolas Cage And Pierce Brosnan Cast In Roman Polanski's 'The Ghost'
Source: MTV
Last fall, Roman Polanski announced that his next film would be an adaptation of "The Ghost," a Richard Harris novel about a ghostwriter hired to write the memoirs of an ex-Prime Minister.
Now MTV News can announce who'll join him.
Pierce Brosnan and Nicolas Cage have been tapped to star as the British Prime Minister Adam Lang and the unnamed ghostwriter, respectively, in the next project from the legendary, Oscar winning director, Brosnan revealed. (And, yes, it took considerable effort not to write "From Ghost Rider to ghostwriter." You're welcome.)
"I'm going to go off and work with Mr. Roman Polanski and Nic Cage on a film called 'The Ghost,'" Brosnan said. "It's a thriller."
A thriller and then some, and right in Polanski's wheelhouse. Inspired in part by Tony Blair, the novel picks up steam when the ghostwriter learns privileged details about a scandal which threatens to engulf the ex-Prime Minister. Soon, he finds himself in personal jeopardy, and must learn to balance his commitments to Lang with his own safety.
Most of the story takes place in an oceanfront house in the middle of winter.
"I have been looking for a political thriller to direct for some time, and 'The Ghost' could not be more perfect," Polanski told Variety at the time of his announced commitment to the project. "Robert has constructed a novel with such suspense, it is hard to put it down."
Roman Polanski wants sex charge dismissed
Filmmaker claims judicial, prosecutorial misconduct
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Roman Polanski on Tuesday filed papers with the Los Angeles Superior Court asking that his notorious decades-old sex case against him, in which he pleaded guilty to unlawful intercourse with a 13-year-old girl, be dismissed.
Attorneys for the Oscar-winning fillmmaker claim judicial and prosecutorial misconduct and cite the recent HBO documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" as revealing a pattern of misconduct between the court and the District Attorney's Office throughout the case.
They list a slew of reasons for the case to be dismissed, including that the victim, Samantha Geimer, has made "numerous" and repeated requests that the case be dismissed and that Mr. Polanski serve no further term of incarceration, a request that must be considered."
Polanski's Los Angeles attorneys Chad Hummel and Bart Dalton said those communications were in violation of the rule of law and were made without the knowledge of their client or his attorney. Dalton is the son of Douglas Dalton, Polanski's attorney in the original case.
"This case serves as a classic example of how our justice system can be abused and defendants' rights trampled, by an unholy alliance between courts and criminal prosecutors," the attorneys said in a statement.
The court declined comment on the case itself, since it is still pending, but said its position for several years has been "if Mr. Polanski wants to resolve this matter, he must appear in person. Should he do so, he would be taken to Dept. 100 for sentencing -- which is where this all left off. At that point, his attorneys would be free to pursue whatever legal strategy they choose."
The DA's spokeswoman, Sandi Gibbons, said her office had not been served with the motion and only heard about it through media reports. She said the office could not take a position until they see dismissal papers.
"We're looking forward to seeing Mr. Polanski in Los Angeles to litigate it," she said.
A hearing on the motion is set for Jan. 21.
The Poland-born Polanski was originally indicted on six felony counts and faced up to life in prison. Instead, he pleaded guilty to one count of unlawful sex with a minor and fled the U.S. in 1978 to avoid serving what his lawyers claim would be a second term of imprisonment for the offense. Polanski had already served time in a California prison, they said.
In the filing, Polanski's lawyers claim "extraordinary new evidence" has surfaced in the doc revealing that the prosectuor at the time, David Wells, had "repeated unethical and unlawful" communications with the judge at the time, the late Lawrence Rittenband, without Polanski's attorneys present, in which the disposition of the case was discussed.
"As a result of these improper conversations, Judge Rittenband was illegally influenced by Wells and became unduly cocerned about his public reputation regarding his conduct in this case," the filing states. "Driven by personal preoccupations and motivations, Judge Rittenband intentionally violated Mr. Polanski's plea agreement, imposed an illegal sentence upon him and threatened him with a second term of imprisonment and compelled deportation -- all in clear violaion of state and federal law and over the objectsion of both the defense and the prosecution."
A warrant issued at that time is still in effect. Now a French citizen, the filmmaker has avoided traveling to Britain as well, for fear of extradiction.
The doc by Marina Zenovich, which played Sundance and Cannes, follows the case against Polanski, including a 1997 meeting between the court, Polanski's attorneys and the DA that would have paved the way for the director to return to the U.S.
According to the doc, Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Larry Paul Fidler, who was the new judge in the case, insisted that the hearing, which would have ended the 30-year-old case, be televised. Polanski, fearing a media circus, did not return. After HBO aired the doc earlier this year, court officials called the assertion a complete fabrication and insisted HBO change the wording. It now indicates the court only insisted the hearing be held in open court.
Polanski won a best director Oscar in 2002 for the Holocaust drama "The Pianist."
Pair join Roman Polanski's 'Ghost'
Wilkinson, Belushi round out cast of thriller
Source: Variety
Tom Wilkinson and Jim Belushi round out the cast of Roman Polanski's "The Ghost." Lensing on the thriller based on the Robert Harris novel of the same name is to begin Feb. 4 in Berlin.
Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall, Ewan McGregor and Olivia Williams had been previously announced as cast members.
Screenplay, penned by Harris and Polanski, centers on a former British prime minister who's holed up on an island writing his memoirs when his aide drowns, triggering political and sexual intrigue.
Polanski's producing along with Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde. Shoot will take place mainly at Studio Babelsberg.
Summit Intl., which has a longstanding relationship with Polanski and the producers, is repping the film for RP Prods. and has pre-sold "The Ghost" to Pathe in France; Kinowelt in Germany; Optimum in the U.K.; Rai Cinema in Italy; Acme UAB in the Baltic states; Dutch Filmworks in Benelux; and SPI Intl. in Eastern Europe.
A U.S. distributor has yet to be announced. ICM is representing North American rights.
Wednesday's announcement came as an appeals court issued a stay on a hearing in Los Angeles County Superior Court over Polanski's request for a dismissal of his conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
Timothy Hutton haunts 'Ghost' pic
Roman Polanski film starts shooting this week
Source: Hollywood Reporter
BERLIN -- Timothy Hutton has joined the cast of Roman Polanski's "The Ghost."
The film, which begins shooting this week in Berlin, tells the tale of a ghostwriter (Ewan McGregor) who is hired to complete the memoirs of a former British prime minister (Pierce Brosnan). When he uncovers secrets, his own life is put in jeopardy.
Hutton plays the role of the prime minister's American lawyer. Tom Wilkinson, James Belushi and Kim Cattrall also are in the cast.
Polanski is producing the film along with Robert Benmussa, Alain Sarde and Patrick Wachsberger. The film is based on the book by Robert Harris
Hutton stars in TNT's "Leverage," which was recently renewed and has new episodes scheduled to air in the summer. The actor is coming off three movies that recently premiered at the Sundance Film Festival: "Lymelife," "Brief Interviews With Hideous Men," and "The Killing Room."
I'm still trying to process the words "James Belushi" being in the same sentence as "Roman Polanski".
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg183.imageshack.us%2Fimg183%2F332%2Faccordingtojimlogoux7.jpg&hash=df268878a0ab23c3fa1109f9de9756f1791edb40) (http://imageshack.us)
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Watch This: 'Greed', Starring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams
Source: Cinematical
Did you know that Roman Polanski directed a short film posing as a perfume ad starring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams? Well, you know now. Greed is apparently the latest project from the Italian performance artist Francesco Vezzoli, and it's a very short film made to look like a perfume advertisement about two girls who duke it out over the right to wear this new fragrance. Dazed Digital has the short up on their site alongside this description:
"Directed by Roman Polanski and featuring Natalie Portman and Michelle Williams embroiled in a fierce battle over the fanciful scent, the spurious campaign attempts to isolate and imitate the hype created by the promotion of a new luxury product in the mass market."
http://dazeddigital.com/Fashion/article/1769/1/Francesco_Vezzolis_Greed_Online_Premiere
Polanski gives no hint of returning to U.S.
The film director has not taken any steps to surrender next week and ask a judge to dismiss his 1977 child-sex case. He would face arrest on his arrival from France.
By Harriet Ryan; Los Angeles Times
In February, more than three decades after movie director Roman Polanski decided the judge in a child-sex case was giving him a raw deal and fled to France, another Los Angeles judge extended an olive branch: There's evidence you weren't treated fairly, the judge said.
But if you want to ask that the charges be dismissed, he added, you must return to the U.S.
Los Angeles County Superior Court Judge Peter Espinoza gave Polanski 2 1/2 months to turn himself in. But as Thursday's deadline approaches, there is no evidence the director of "Chinatown" and "The Pianist" will surrender.
He has not contacted the court. His lead attorney refused to say whether Polanski would return, and his agent, Jeff Berg, would say only that the director is currently "shooting a picture in Germany" -- a political thriller starring Pierce Brosnan and Ewan McGregor.
There also is no indication that Polanski, a French citizen, has taken any steps to cut through the bureaucratic red tape he must deal with before he could travel to Los Angeles.
Polanski's 1977 guilty plea to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl constitutes a crime of "moral turpitude," which precludes foreigners from getting on an airplane bound for the U.S., according to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokeswoman.
A State Department official said someone with such a charge on their record would have to apply for a visa at an American embassy, produce documents explaining why he or she required entry to the U.S. and await clearance from the Department of Homeland Security.
A court spokesman said no one from Polanski's camp has sought a letter from the judge detailing the need for Polanski's presence.
Once on American soil, Polanski faces immediate arrest as a fugitive, but a spokesman for the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said neither the director nor his representatives have reached out to the agency.
At the February hearing, the judge urged Polanski's attorneys to give him plenty of notice to make security arrangements for his arrival.
"These things aren't done by the seat of the pants in an instant," said court spokesman Allan Parachini.
Among other necessary preparations, he said, would be a plan to manage the large number of international news media expected for any appearance by Polanski.
Los Angeles was the scene of some of his greatest triumphs, including the filming of "Chinatown" and "Rosemary's Baby"; in 2003, he won an Academy Award for best director for "The Pianist." But L.A. also was the site of his greatest heartbreak -- the 1969 murder of his wife, Sharon Tate, by followers of Charles Manson.
Polanski has given mixed signals about whether coming back to the U.S. is important to him.
Since December, his attorneys have mounted an aggressive and presumably costly attempt to have the case thrown out.
The acknowledgment by Espinoza, the supervising judge of the criminal division, of misconduct in the handling of Polanski's case came after hundreds of pages of court filings suggesting that new information -- much of it from a documentary released last year -- shows judicial and prosecutorial wrongdoing.
But in one of the documents, a lawyer for Polanski said the director, now 75 and remarried with two children, "has no plans ever to return to the United States."
If Polanski does not appear in court next week, Espinoza has said he will deny the director's request for a dismissal of the case.
That will not spell the end of the 32-year-old case, however. In a letter to another judge earlier this month, a lawyer for Polanski said he would appeal if the request was denied.
Polanski's 'Ghost' scares up funds
Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan star in film
Source: Variety
Roman Polanski's political thriller "The Ghost," which just wrapped shooting at Studio Babelsberg outside of Berlin, has picked up E4 million ($5.45 million) in extra coin from the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF) and the German Federal Film Board (FFA).
The adaptation of Robert Harris' novel, about a ghostwriter hired to finish the memoirs of a former British prime minister who is the target of a war crimes indictment, stars Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Kim Cattrall and Olivia Williams.
The film, which began lensing in Germany in February, nabbed nearly $4.8 million from the DFFF, which is administered by the FFA, as well as $680,717 from the FFA directly.
Co-produced by Elfte Babelsberg Film, a unit of the studio's Babelsberg Film division, "The Ghost" had already received $680,717 from regional subsidy org Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and $272,263 from Filmfoerderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein for a total of $6.4 million in grants.
The pic is also likely to land coin from regional subsidy org Filmbuero MV in the northern state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
The Summit Intl. film , which has yet to be picked up Stateside, is being released in Germany via Kinowelt.
Polanski, Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde are producing "The Ghost" along with Henning Molfenter, Carl Woebcken and Christoph Fisser of Studio Babelsberg and Timothy Burrill of U.K. shingle Runteam.
"The Ghost" is the latest high-profile production to receive coin from the $80 million-a-year DFFF. In February Quentin Tarantino's Cannes screener "Inglourious Basterds" nabbed $8.7 million.
Roman Polanski arrested in Switzerland
Source: Guardian.co.uk
The Oscar-winning film director Roman Polanski has been taken into custody in Switzerland after travelling to collect an award at the Zurich film festival.
The festival organisers, who had been due to give the 76-year-old director a lifetime achievement award, did not give details of the arrest, but it is believed to be over a 31-year-old US arrest warrant. The director fled the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.
Polanski was detained by police yesterday as he travelled from France to Switzerland to receive his award.
A Zurich police spokesman, Stefan Oberlin, confirmed Polanski's arrest, but refused to provide more details because he said it was a matter for the Swiss justice ministry. A ministry spokesman, Guido Balmer, declined to comment.
In a statement, the festival organisers said they had "learned of his arrest with great dismay and sadness", but stressed that they would go ahead with a planned retrospective of his work and present the award on another date.
Polanski, who directed classic films including Chinatown and Rosemary's Baby, recently sought dismissal of his case on grounds of misconduct by the late judge who arranged a plea bargain and later reneged on it.
In February, Judge Peter Espinoza agreed there had been misconduct by the judge in the original case, but said Polanski must return to the US to apply for dismissal.
His lawyers said he would not return because he is considered to be a fugitive. He has not set foot in the US for 30 years, and has avoided going to countries, such as the UK, that have an extradition treaty with the US.
Polanski, who was born in Paris, has lived in France for the past 30 years and his career has continued to flourish.
He won an Oscar for his 2002 film the Pianist, with the award collected on his behalf by the actor Harrison Ford.
The Swiss haven't arrested anyone in like 18 years. Don't their police officers carry lollipops or something? They're lucky they can still claim Bergman or else I would say we should all start calling it Freedom Miss. Totally ridiculous.
I thought they were supposed to stay neutral! :doh:
I hope they pardon Polanski. His guilt in the matter is useless because the original judge agreed to give him a plea bargain and then went back on his deal. He can't do that. It can only happen when a prosecutor makes a deal with a defendent before getting the judges approval of the deal. In this circumstance though the case should be thrown out.
Quote from: Gold Trumpet on September 28, 2009, 12:51:54 AM
I hope they pardon Polanski. His guilt in the matter is useless because the original judge agreed to give him a plea bargain and then went back on his deal. He can't do that. It can only happen when a prosecutor makes a deal with a defendent before getting the judges approval of the deal. In this circumstance though the case should be thrown out.
You seem to be missing that he fucked a thirteen year old girl. Then he left the country before it was legal for him to do so, whether or not he felt justified in doing so. He's lived a millionaire's life as a globally respected artist instead of going to jail (if that's where he was headed) and he was (or should be) aware of his legal status as a fugitive. I'm not saying you have to fry the man now (especially because the woman doesn't want any attention now) but I have zero sympathy for this guy. He should at least go to court in my opinion. That whole thing happened in the 70's, sure... but isn't pedophilia supposed to be the most repeated felony or something like that? It's a nearly baseless assumption, but I'd wager that he's done plenty of other jail-worthy things in the 30 years since and the international community has been enabling him by not arresting him sooner.
Quote from: Reinhold on September 28, 2009, 02:16:44 AM
You seem to be missing that he fucked a thirteen year old girl.
GT knows that but you seem to be missing that there's more to a news story than the headline.
Quote from: cinemanarkissed on September 27, 2009, 02:26:09 PM
The Swiss haven't arrested anyone in like 18 years. Don't their police officers carry lollipops or something? They're lucky they can still claim Bergman or else I would say we should all start calling it Freedom Miss. Totally ridiculous.
Bergman is from Sweden. Or am I missing something here??
It's sad that they can't let this guy just live his fucking life. If the woman affected by his misconduct has publicly stated forgiveness and would prefer the whole thing to just go away, I don't see what this supposed "duty" for doing justice in this case means.
Polanski has gone through enough in this life, but people are always ready to pinpoint what's wrong in others.
Quote from: Alexandro on September 28, 2009, 08:38:07 AM
Polanski has gone through enough in this life, but people are always ready to pinpoint what's wrong in others.
Oh man! I bet a lot of people would've like to have known that if your parents die in WWII and your wife is murdered you can drug and rape in the ass 13 year old girls!!!
Yeah and also I have a hard time with people trying to pinpoint that there's something wrong with drugging and raping in the ass a 13 year old girl.
I'm sure it's a good thing to let people know that if you're a rich artist laws don't apply to you.
Easy sarcasm aside, wake the fuck up. 13 years old is YOUNG. You CANNOT mistake that for 18.
I'm not saying is right or wrong what he did. I'm saying the person who was affected already said he is forgiven and should be left alone. Anything else is bullshit. Him being arrested or whatnot will not set any precedent or stop sex with minors, so you can claim all this justice talk all you want, there are way more important things in this world for police to do than prosecute some old fuck for a thing he did 40 years ago that not even the person that was done to cares about anymore. There's not point in arguing about this, we will not get anywhere.
Quote from: Reinhold on September 28, 2009, 02:16:44 AM
You seem to be missing that he fucked a thirteen year old girl. Then he left the country before it was legal for him to do so, whether or not he felt justified in doing so. He's lived a millionaire's life as a globally respected artist instead of going to jail (if that's where he was headed) and he was (or should be) aware of his legal status as a fugitive. I'm not saying you have to fry the man now (especially because the woman doesn't want any attention now) but I have zero sympathy for this guy. He should at least go to court in my opinion. That whole thing happened in the 70's, sure... but isn't pedophilia supposed to be the most repeated felony or something like that? It's a nearly baseless assumption, but I'd wager that he's done plenty of other jail-worthy things in the 30 years since and the international community has been enabling him by not arresting him sooner.
I never said he shouldn't go to court, but I said I hope they pardon him. Yes, he did something bad (I address that) and he skipped out when it wasn't legal for him to do so, but the pressing matter is that the judge went back on his word. They still may get him for fleeing, but he should be absolved in the original matter for that. All I am falling is the rule of the law.
they won't pardon him; the best way it looks for everyone if he does a little time and then gets repealed or something.
Quote from: modage on September 27, 2009, 11:56:45 PM
I thought they were supposed to stay neutral! :doh:
With enemies you know where they stand, but with neutrals? Who knows! It sickens me...
it also sickens me that they do good for one, I always hated switzerland, and enjoyed doing it.
I don't think Polanski really sodomized her. I think sodomy was just a term used for all kinds of things that wasn't just missionary style.
NY Times
LOS ANGELES — The sudden move by Swiss authorities to arrest Roman Polanski for possible extradition to the United States after 31 years as a fugitive – and countless visits to Switzerland in the interim – has roused diplomats, offended supporters of the filmmaker and left more than a few onlookers asking themselves the same question.
Why now?
Law enforcement officials here have said it was a simple matter of opportunity. "He just showed up at a time and a place where we knew he would be available," Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles County district attorney Stephen L. Cooley, said on Monday.
But supporters of Mr. Polanski point out that this has been true countless times since he fled the U.S. in 1978 to escape sentencing in a sex-crimes case. "He has traveled openly and transparently," said Jeff Berg, the chairman of International Creative Management, who is Mr. Polanski's agent. In Switzerland, where Mr. Polanski owns a home, he is a frequent visitor.
Asked on Monday why the Oscar-winning director hadn't been picked up earlier, Ms. Gibbons – who had said the prosecutors did make earlier attempts to apprehend the fugitive, when they had advance knowledge of his whereabouts – said: "It's not our business to be gumshoes."
In fact, Mr. Polanski's lawyers, as recently as an August appellate court filing, maintained that the district attorney's office had deliberately avoided attempts at extradition, which might have triggered hearings at which judicial misconduct would have been raised as an issue.
A July ruling by that appellate court has opened the door to a potentially volatile round of argument as early as next month over whether lawyers for Mr. Polanski should be permitted, even without the director's presence in the courtroom, to offer evidence that the case against him was hopelessly tainted.
The question rises, in part, out of a documentary about the case released last year in which a deputy district attorney in the case described how he had coached the now-deceased judge about Mr. Polanski's sentencing.
For three decades, Los Angeles prosecutors have argued that Mr. Polanski forfeited his rights by fleeing, and has no standing to challenge his treatment unless he returns to face punishment. Mr. Polanski's representatives have argued that the need to remedy corrupt justice in Los Angeles supersedes any requirement that Mr. Polanski return.
Precisely how Mr. Polanski came to be picked up so shortly before the crucial hearing remains unclear. Ms. Gibbons said the appellate court ruling had nothing to do with the extradition request, which, she said, was handled by David Walgren, a deputy district attorney assigned to Mr. Polanski's case.
Both Mr. Dalton and Chad Hummel, who have represented Mr. Polanski in his appeal, declined to discuss Mr. Polanski's extradition, in which he is to have a new legal team based in Europe and perhaps Washington.
While Mr. Polanski has lived a fairly open life in Europe, he has avoided visits to Britain, where he feared extradition would be easier. When in Germany directing his latest film, "The Ghost," Mr. Polanski occasionally avoided the set, directing through a remote communications set-up and leading some members of the cast and crew to believe that he was trying to make apprehension more difficult, according to a person who was briefed on the shoot and spoke on condition of anonymity.
Hervé Temime, Mr. Polanski's lawyer in Paris, told France Info radio that "there is no reason, either in law or in fact, nor on the terrain of the most elementary justice, to keep Roman Polanski in prison for even one day." Mr. Temime, citing "the extravagant circumstances" of Mr. Polanski's arrest as he arrived late Saturday at Zurich's airport on the way to being honored at a local film festival, asked for the director's release and said he intended to fight extradition.
The reaction throughout Europe on Monday appeared to be one of astonishment.
Bernard Kouchner, the French foreign minister, described Mr. Polanski's arrest as "a bit sinister," and said he and the Polish foreign minister, Radoslaw Sikorski, were jointly writing a letter expressing their concern to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.
Nearly 100 entertainment industry professionals, including the movie directors Pedro Almodovar, Wong Kar Wai and Wim Wenders called in a petition for Mr. Polanski's release, saying: "Filmmakers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision."
Ronald Harwood, who won an Oscar as screenwriter of "The Piano," which Mr. Polanski directed, said: "It's really disgraceful. Both the Americans and the Swiss have miscalculated."
Jack Lang, a former French culture minister, said that for Europeans the development showed that the American system of justice had run amok.
"Sometimes, the American justice system shows an excess of formalism," Mr. Lang said, "like an infernal machine that advances inexorably and blindly."
Mr. Polanski, 76, was taken into custody on a provisional arrest warrant after Swiss authorities received an official request from the U.S. Justice Department, which was acting on a request from the Los Angeles district attorneys office. He had originally been charged with six counts, including rape and sodomy, involving an incident with a 13-year-old girl. He eventually pleaded guilty to just one count, having sex with a minor, spent 42 days in state prison under psychiatric evaluation, and fled on the eve of his sentencing after he became convinced that the judge was going to backtrack on a plan to let him off without further jail time.
The victim in the case, Samantha Geimer, has long since publicly identified herself and expressed forgiveness for Mr. Polanski.
Quote from: NY Times on September 28, 2009, 06:25:48 PM
Ronald Harwood, who won an Oscar as screenwriter of "The Piano," which Mr. Polanski directed
:doh:
Quote from: Gold Trumpet on September 28, 2009, 11:59:56 AM
I never said he shouldn't go to court, but I said I hope they pardon him. Yes, he did something bad (I address that) and he skipped out when it wasn't legal for him to do so, but the pressing matter is that the judge went back on his word. They still may get him for fleeing, but he should be absolved in the original matter for that. All I am falling is the rule of the law.
The "judge's word" is not legally binding. Until the moment the judge files the actual sentence, no deals or handshakes or whatever happened behind the scenes have any actual legal bearing. In other words, the judge has every right to change his mind, no matter how unfair the defendant might think it is. So to review the facts, Roman Polanski raped a 13-year-old girl, and the judge didn't follow through on the plea bargain. Only one of these things is illegal. Here's a clue: it's the one that involves sodomizing a child after drugging her with champagne and quaaludes. It doesn't matter how old he is now, it doesn't matter how good a director he is, it doesn't matter what happened to his parents at the hands of the Nazis or to his wife at the hands of the Manson family, and it doesn't matter that the victim has since forgiven him. He committed a very serious crime and he dodged justice. He'll have his day in court and the chips will fall where they may, but there is no reason he should be automatically absolved for what he's done.
thank you, polka.
for god's sake why is the international community getting behind this guy.
Quote from: Pas Rap on September 29, 2009, 07:15:07 AM
thank you, polka.
for god's sake why is the international community getting behind this guy.
BECAUSE HE DIRECTED
THE PIANIST!
cinemarkissed.. sweden ≠ switzerland.
pas.. sodomy ≠ anal rape, necessarily. the term is used generally to refer to illegal sex of any kind.
polanski.. holocaust survivor + murdered wife + amazing films (60s and 70s) ≠ get out of jail free card.
i doubt he'll do time. apparently if he'd gone to jail in the 70s he would only have been in for a few years, now the sentence is higher. who knows the legal bullshit surrounding the case, the fact most ppl here have let their emotions be the judge judy and executioner pretty much invalidates us from trying to speak reasonably as the law intended.
personally, i think the dude is alrite,. even murderers are forgiven sometimes. but then there's some of you saying he's probably continued to do worse things whilst in exile. umm.. you just made that up. unless you're referring to The Ninth Gate, the dude has not been raping and pillaging his way across the wild, lawless european continent for the last 3 decades only to find his run of amazing luck come to an end now.
Quote from: :P on September 30, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
pas.. sodomy ≠ anal
oh is that right. Strange. It explains that scene I found so creepy in Capturing the Friedmans where they accused him of oral sodomy. I thought it was some sick ass-to-mouth thing haha
Quote from: :P on September 30, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
be the judge judy and executioner
typo or pun? haha. But seriously though, he's guilty of a crime that if a everyday normal guy would commit everyone would be ready to chop off his balls and now he's a victim of evil America, that's my beef with the whole thing
Quote from: :P on September 30, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
even murderers are forgiven sometimes.
The law is the law, and heck if I'm gonna break it. But if you can forgive someone... Well, that's the tough part. What can we forgive?
Quote from: :P on September 30, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
unless you're referring to The Ninth Gate,
Still awaiting the trial for this.
Quote from: Stefen on September 28, 2009, 03:12:31 PM
I don't think Polanski really sodomized her. I think sodomy was just a term used for all kinds of things that wasn't just missionary style.
That is true, but in this case, it means exactly what it sounds like. He raped her in the ass, as she states herself (direct quote: "He put his penis in my butt") on page 32 of her grand jury testimony, which can be perused here (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html). I recommend any Polanski apologists out there give that a good read. If you don't feel dirty by page 5, I don't think we can be friends.
I feel sorry for him and the woman, mostly for the woman, who has been asking repeteadly for years that this matter is left alone simply because she doesn't want her name all over the papers again concerning this horrible thing. that's why i never liked the idea of the wanted and desired documentary, no matter what it proved or what was it's thesis on the subject was. and that's also one of the reasons I don't see what realistic purpose could this whole debacle serve to anyone except the d.a.'s office.
did anyone else read this?http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html (http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/polanskicover1.html) I'm sure trying to recall this event tragic to her,
i mean really as sick as all this is, it all sounds very discomforting in the situational sense. so why didn't she stop, she said it was a little weird the first time he took pictures, and so she goes back? she gave this testimony shortly after, so it's still fresh, but understandably when you get raped, i'm sure you block things out of your memory. However, she can identify the text on a pill that was broken into 3 pieces, but she can't recall how many glasses she drank of one bottle of champagne? and it's not weird to be completely nude in front of the guy, then you're all the sudden freaked out? I mean, a 13 yr old probably couldn't comprehend a lot of what is going on, i'm just saying this sounds sketch.
keep in mind this is a 13 yr old who has had sex twice before this incident? Not judging, just pointing out the facts, and she said she'd tried Quaalude's before. I tried pot at a young age, so i'm not looking down on it, i'm just saying i did that kind of shit when i was young and my motives weren't 100% out of curiosity.
"i was going to ask if some of my friends could come, but he was in too big of a hurry."
then
"he told me to take off my underwear before i got in the jacuzzi"
[talking about being raped] no one was around, so i didn't do anything? i guess this illogical thought would have been what goes through a 13 yr olds head. i don't know.
and all the sudden she can recall him asking about her period, and whether or not she is on the pill, the rest of the talk while the intercourse is going on is shit she was blocking out, or couldn't hear?
I have no clue what would go through a woman's mind when she is getting raped, so i can't really comment entirely on her actions, but not yelling (if you feel you're in danger of getting butt fucked) for help is just something i can't understand.
It's obvious what polka said about the guy who at the time was in his 40's fucking sodomized a 13 yr old is just wrong for lack of better words, and he deserves whatever he gets, but still this shit all sounds so fucking weird.
I mean, what came of this in brief because in polanski's briefing it says He is a "mentally disordered sex offender" meaning that "he is a person who, by reason of mental defect, disease or disorder..." is that just a nice way of saying he's a fucking creep? Kinda like anyone who rapes a 13 yr old is mentally unstable?
What i'm saying polka is, obviously its creepy by page 5, so this early on, as she states, it was weird in the first photography session. What in the fuck is her problem? Was she hoping to be famous? I just can't identify with rape on any level, so maybe i'm trying to apply logic in a situation where that doesn't work. As far as being a Polanski apologist, that's just not the case for me, i mean the guy pleaded guilty, there is no apology for that. But, in a situation like this, do you really try and justify fucking a 13 yr old even if it was consensual? Either way the law is broken, and there is no need to drag it out and say it was consensual because it's still sex with a minor etc....am i way off here? I'm just saying, it would be one thing if it was like "he then held me down while i couldn't move and performed..." 13 or not. Roman Polanski or not. Male or female. I would punch a 40 yr old peder-ass the sec he got off of me when that bitch came to the door. Or least a scream. a naked cock can't be too hard to kick, even if you are a little weaker, and 13.
Like i said though, i might just be insensitive or ignorant to rape or something, because i don't fully understand it. Somehow "this famous man told me too" just isn't cutting it for me, even though i'm sure this kinda shit happens all the time for stardom or fame. At 13 i guess you do what older people say?
Fuck this nonsense either way. I haven't put too much thought into it. this was just first reactions, to wasting my morning reading those terrible briefings, i'm sure someone can shed some light on my ignorance.
Quote from: 03 on October 01, 2009, 11:49:05 AM
Quote from: Pas Rap on September 30, 2009, 09:12:00 AM
Quote from: :P on September 30, 2009, 07:02:27 AM
be the judge judy and executioner
typo or pun?
that wasn't a typo or a pun..
I thought the expression was judge, jury and executioner, and not
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.johnmugarian.com%2F%21cid_image001_jpg%4001C995A2.jpg&hash=78d8aba81ea0783a91a9d7cc68ff1e124278ad52) and executioner.
And neil, no one said the 13 year old is a pure angel. However, if she was the devil incarnate and she had willing sex a million times before, it's still illegal to fuck 13 year olds under any circumstances so this is all moot. There is nothing stupider than a 13 year old. Even small dogs and certain insects are smarter. So adults having any sex with them is therefore illegal. She may have begged him to do all that shit for all I care it doesn't change a damn thing.
Another thing I'd like to point out is that this whole debacle shows the idea present in a lot of people's head that it's okay for artists to do illegal things because they are excentric etc.
I can't believe Neil just placed blame on that girl. Gross.
rape victims... Especially children go into a state of shock in those kinds of situation. In hindsight, I'm sure she realized the photos were a little strange and probably shouldn't have kept having them taken, but until she's being raped, she's not sure, is she? And while she's drugged and raped, you're saying she should have fought? And she's somehow at fault for not doing so? She said how afraid she was of him.
Oh, and I get where you were going with calling him a "Peder-ass", but your pun's inaccurate... a pederast is someone who fucks boys, not girls.
and Pas, "Judge Judy and Executioner" is, among other things, a joke from the Simpsons.
Quote from: RegularKarate on October 01, 2009, 01:46:09 PM
and Pas, "Judge Judy and Executioner" is, among other things, a joke from the Simpsons.
Hot Fuzz, too.
As for the issue of why didn't she fight him off... first off, she was a 13-year-old girl and he was a full grown man (albeit a short man, but still); second of all, quaaludes are a sedative and a muscle relaxant. She likely couldn't have put up much of a fight if she tried.
And as Pas says, even if she wanted him to do it (which she clearly didn't, but for the sake of argument), even if she was begging him to do it, it's still rape. It's still a serious crime. The fact that she didn't want to do it, and he forced himself on her under the influence of sedatives, makes it even that much more heinous.
Yeah, reading that whole thing just makes Polanski a creep. I was under the impression it was consensual but reading that made me sick.
Also, when Polanski fled, it's not like he was living like a refugee with no home. He was living in mansions and living the good life.
Fuck him.
I do not think it's ok, at all, never said that, just understand i just don't know much man, calm down, i'm not placing the blame, just asking questions i didn't see being talked about. and pas, don't think you're onto something there, because i specifically said either way it was illegal, maybe it comes off wrong, and i honestly should've looked up the word pederast, that's my fault, i could give a fuck less if this guy goes to prison for life, even though we all know that isn't going to happen. Wrong is wrong, not sure where i didn't display that? and i don't need myself quoted out on context. jesus h.
Quote from: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 02:32:15 PM
Yeah, reading that whole thing just makes Polanski a creep. I was under the impression it was consensual but reading that made me sick.
same here, and now that I read it too also creeps me out the indifference of the woman who was there, e.g. when they arrive at jack's house and the three of them drink alcohol like it's so normal for a 13yo, then later seeing them looked in a room.
Quote from: Fernando on October 01, 2009, 03:59:34 PM
Quote from: Stefen on October 01, 2009, 02:32:15 PM
Yeah, reading that whole thing just makes Polanski a creep. I was under the impression it was consensual but reading that made me sick.
same here, and now that I read it too also creeps me out the indifference of the woman who was there, e.g. when they arrive at jack's house and the three of them drink alcohol like it's so normal for a 13yo, then later seeing them looked in a room.
well that's 70's hollywood for ya.
Quote from: Neil on October 01, 2009, 02:33:18 PM
I do not think it's ok, at all, never said that, just understand i just don't know much man, calm down, i'm not placing the blame, just asking questions i didn't see being talked about. and pas, don't think you're onto something there, because i specifically said either way it was illegal, maybe it comes off wrong, and i honestly should've looked up the word pederast, that's my fault, i could give a fuck less if this guy goes to prison for life, even though we all know that isn't going to happen. Wrong is wrong, not sure where i didn't display that? and i don't need myself quoted out on context. jesus h.
it's just distasteful to question a rape victim (ie. not an alleged victim) like you have. call me old-fashioned.
I just read the briefing, and yeah he raped her, i said wrong is wrong, rape is an add on to the fact that she's 13 and he's 40+, I mean, he goes to a trial either way, i'm not taking anything away from that, it's disgusting in all aspects. dig?
I just thought it very weird that she knew the pill inscription though it was broken into 3 pieces, i mentioned that i can't fathom what comes with that sort of thing (rape) two posts back. I said "maybe i'm insensitive to it." etc. i mean read it carefully, i wasn't intending to be rude or placing blame, that's so disgusting man, like i said fuck the rape issue, Him luring in a thirteen 13 old girl and attempting intercourse is disgusting and deserves appropriate justice, if you don't think i comprehend the addition of actually drugging her and getting her drunk on champagne and raping her is horrid, then i really don't know what to say.
her 13 yr recalling of the events were gross and all that, but they sucked. at this point i'm repeating myself because i understand it is something you would block from your mind (probably?) and she was probably too young to understand what was going on/unable to process and deal with certain emotions. I was just asking fucking questions, i got everyone's interp now.
that is 70's hollywood
are you 13, too?
You guys are being a bit harsh on Neil.
one-line-jabs especially :yabbse-undecided:
anyways, rereading Neil I saw he's/you're asking questions and not being a pro-polanski like I first thought, my wrong (syntax?). But, as you say yourself, yeah she didn't fight back etc but it doesn't matter since there is no ''consensual'' here. but also it's not in everyone to do fight back. Some have a weird respect for ''grown-ups''. Also, she never seemed to be after any money or whatever so ...yeah.
Also, she's 13 years old. While she does seem mature for 13 years old (based on the fact she states she has already had sex, been drunk and done drugs), it still doesn't change the fact she's a child and was probably deathly afraid.
Polanski just comes off as a creep. Yeah, it happened a long time ago, but still. I see the pros/cons of both sides. Yeah, it's silly that it's coming to light now after all these years just because some law dickheads want fame, but it still doesn't change the fact that what he did was wrong and disgusting.
Quote from: Stefen on October 02, 2009, 05:46:20 PM
Also, she's 13 years old. While she does seem mature for 13 years old (based on the fact she states she has already had sex, been drunk and done drugs), it still doesn't change the fact she's a child and was probably deathly afraid.
Polanski just comes off as a creep. Yeah, it happened a long time ago, but still. I see the pros/cons of both sides. Yeah, it's silly that it's coming to light now after all these years just because some law dickheads want fame, but it still doesn't change the fact that what he did was wrong and disgusting.
Could not agree more. there is a lot that i don't know about this case, and the legal system for that matter. But I'll admit it, I have said the act itself is horrid. I wasn't fully aware of the effects of Quaaludes, in the sense of muscle relaxing, i was aware kinda aware that they were downers, but didn't put 2 and 2 together. Polka clears that up, and it is probably bullshit for me to question the victim not yelling, but all i was trying to say is (unless the other lady in the house was a creeper, not sure who she was?) one single yelp when she is *getting up* to put her panties back on, while he's at the door and something gets exposed. I don't mean it in a derogatory way, and it's probably super easy and assholy of me to say this in hind sight. It's just that it's a recurring event(the meetings), and don't insult me here, but people try and do this shit all the time to get famous, and THIS IS NOT A JUSTIFICATION, it is just unfortunate that the worst ended up happening to the poor girl, but I ASSUME that the reason nothing had come of it is not simply because "she wants her name out of the papers" as you suggest. The papers don't care about feelings, or at least good ones don't, this isn't utilitarianism here. I'm just saying how does something like this sit in the corner for like 30yrs or whatever? and apparently i'm alone in thinking that the whole debacle regarding the pill inscription is a blatant sign of "uhhh, my lawyers told me to say this" I guess i'm not being sensetive for "questioning" a rape victim as you put it, whatever that means. You think i'm bad, read that briefing, how the attorney's question the poor kid.
good one 03' you're quips are almost on par with your street art.
haha what?
denied bail before extradition. apparently he's a flight risk.
Wonder what gives them that idea?
lol
Roman Polanski on To Catch a Predator (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E41XkUXg2a0)
So, on that site stefen recommended, i caught 'Knife in the Water' for free. anyone else catch this?
theauteurs.com? it's an awesome site, right?
Yes, though i doubt i'll ever pay for one, i'll just catch free ones.
So, I guess my problem, is i don't really know how to talk about film, so it's no wonder no one really likes what i say. I just love the idea of film, and emotionally shit works for me, stylistically things can work for me, i just can't verbalize it, in the same way as a lot the people who can here.
SPOILS
However, this film had me tense. I wish i knew more about 60's cinema and what was going on (kind of like understanding how crazy and radical rock in roll in the 50's and 60's was at the time, even though it sounds more towards the good ole' pop side now). I wonder why more films don't do this, it seems like such an odd ending would never go down today. Also, i know nothing about the language, but sometimes the characters would be talking, and subtitles wouldn't come up. Not sure, if i should know it, because it's common or something. Anyhow, I can't discern acts very well in films, but, I think I enjoyed the vast lonely feel and vision when they finally got out sailing. I thought it was obvious about showing youth and an elder clashing, towards several themes. one clearly being testosterone, or just that male urge that some posses to mark their territory, or show why they are indeed the man (in a given situation). I mean, to me picking up a stranger, had me on edge, because i was waiting for something terrible to happen, and i kind of felt like that at each turn in the film. Although when these moments meticulously come in, just after you think he's an ok guy, or could be one. The tension between the younger gentlemen, and the gorgeous woman was blatant which i thought was neat, because as i said, by the time he busts out this badass knife, and you're stuck on the boat with a stranger. Ya know? like i said i was expecting it to go south. But yeah, i like it. It worked for me. I thought the ending was pretty badass, although i didn't assume the husband(?) swam back, or could? I thought the characters maintained this certain mysterious aspect, where you find out certain things about the characters through current dialogue in a casual fashion. It was awesome, i mean being able to get away with a 3 character film, and portray through one day, and you learn just enough about them, to not know what they're capable of, or how they would react. Good flick though, i enjoyed it visually, and i thought it was great having them all have spaced out on the boat while out to sea, and then they're cooped up in the 3rd act. Neat, how it played out like that.
Polanski is finishing new film from jail, screenwriter says
Source: Los Angeles Times
While legal reps on both sides of the Atlantic argue over the fate of director Roman Polanski, the Oscar winner is quietly attempting to complete work on his latest film, "The Ghost," from his jail cell in Switzerland, where he awaits word on extradition to face sentencing on a statutory rape charge.
Robert Harris, who penned both the novel that inspired the film and its screenplay, said that Polanski is attempting to make decisions from prison, including decisions regarding composer Alexandre Desplat's score. "He can make his wishes known from his cell," Harris said at the Cheltenham Literature Festival in England. "I don't think he can make phone calls, but he can communicate." According to Harris, Polanski is attempting to complete the film for its premiere at the Berlin Film Festival in February. "The Ghost" stars Ewan McGregor, Pierce Brosnan, Olivia Williams, Kim Cattrall, Tom Wilkinson and Eli Wallach.
Polanski was arrested in Zurich on Sept. 26 for fleeing the United States 31 years ago on the eve of his sentencing.
AP NewsBreak: Swiss tipped US to Polanski trip
LOS ANGELES - Swiss authorities set in motion the arrest of fugitive director Roman Polanski in his decades-old child sex case as he traveled to the country last month, documents obtained by The Associated Press show.
A series of e-mails obtained under a public records request show the Swiss Federal Office of Justice sent an urgent fax to the U.S. Office of International Affairs on Sept. 22 stating Polanski was expected in Zurich. The director was to be feted at a film festival, and Swiss officials wanted to know if the U.S. would be submitting a request for Polanski's arrest.
It took little sleuthing to figure out Polanski would be in Zurich — the film festival had a Web site promoting its upcoming tribute to the "Rosemary's Baby" and "Chinatown" director. The new details again raise the question of why Switzerland decided to go after Polanski now, even though the 76-year-old director was a frequent visitor to that nation, where he owns an Alpine chalet.
After receiving the tip, federal officials alerted the Los Angeles district attorney's office, which immediately began drafting an arrest warrant.
Polanski was arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award. He has been battling extradition ever since and on Tuesday suffered a serious setback when Switzerland's top criminal court rejected his appeal to be released from prison, citing the "high" risk that the director would try to flee again.
A Sept. 25 e-mail from the Office of International Affairs to the district attorney's office shows U.S. authorities seemed confident Polanski would not be released.
"Generally, Switzerland does not release fugitives sought for extradition," the e-mail states. "The default in Switzerland is that a fugitive will be detained until s/he is either extradited or determined by the Swiss Federal Supreme Court to be non-extraditable."
Polanski's offers of bail, house arrest and electronic monitoring failed to sway the tribunal. Even his chalet in the luxury resort of Gstaad was brushed aside as insufficient collateral to guard against Polanski fleeing the country.
"The appellant has already once in 1978 eluded American criminal proceedings by traveling to Europe," the Federal Criminal Court said in its 17-page verdict, adding that Polanski's transfer to the U.S. could also cause family trauma and cost investors millions of dollars in losses.
Polanski was accused of plying a 13-year-old girl with champagne and part of a Quaalude pill during a modeling shoot in 1977 and raping her. He was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy.
He pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse and fled amid a legal dispute over his sentence.
Polanski wins $4.5M bail, house arrest likely
GENEVA - Roman Polanski has been granted $4.5 million bail, clearing the way for the fugitive director to move within days from a Swiss jail to house arrest and electronic monitoring at his Alpine resort chalet.
The justice minister said Wednesday she saw no reason to appeal the surprise decision by the Swiss Criminal Court. Polanski would have to remain in Switzerland as authorities assess whether to extradite him to the U.S. for having sex in Los Angeles in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.
Ministry spokesman Folco Galli said the final decision on transferring Polanski to his chalet in the Swiss resort of Gstaad would be made "quickly."
"The 76-year-old appellant is married and the father of two minors," the court said as it considered Polanski's offer of a cash bail secured by his apartment in Paris. "It can be assumed that as a responsible father he will, especially in view of his advanced age, attach greater importance to the financial security of his family than a younger person."
The court said Polanski would be subjected to "constant electronic surveillance" at his chalet and an alarm would be activated if he leaves the premises or takes off the bracelet, adding that the filmmaker was still viewed as a high flight risk.
Polanski's lawyers Lorenz Erni in Zurich, Herve Temime in Paris and Chad Hummel in Los Angeles declined to comment. The Los Angeles County district attorney's office also had no reaction, spokeswoman Shiara Davila-Morales said.
The decision came as a surprise after a series of setbacks for the director of "Rosemary's Baby," "Chinatown" and "The Pianist."
The Justice Ministry ordered Polanski arrested Sept. 26 as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award at a film festival.
Swiss legal experts had said earlier that Polanski's chances of bail were slim, and even U.S. authorities expressed confidence that a Swiss court wouldn't grant his release.
The court last month rejected Polanski's first bail offer of his Gstaad chalet as collateral, which the director claimed made up more than half of his personal wealth and would definitely guard against his flight because he has two children he must support through school.
The court demanded cash instead, and this time looked favorably on Polanski's offer of a bank guarantee and the threat of sacrificing his family's home if he fled justice.
"Cash is king," said Peter Cosandey, a former Zurich prosecutor. Still, he said he could "hardly remember a case where bail is granted to someone who isn't even a full-time Swiss resident."
A decision on extraditing Polanski to Los Angeles is still pending, and would also be subject to appeals.
For the duration of the procedures, it appears Polanski will be confined to his $1.6 million chalet surrounded by snowcapped peaks on the outskirts of Gstaad, one of the most exclusive winter resorts in the world. Celebrities such as Elizabeth Taylor and Roger Moore have called the town home, and it remains popular with celebrities and royalty.
Polanski was accused of raping the 13-year-old girl after plying her with champagne and a Quaalude pill during a modeling shoot in 1977. He was initially indicted on six felony counts, including rape by use of drugs, child molesting and sodomy.
Polanski pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse. In exchange, the judge agreed to drop the remaining charges and sentence him to prison for a 90-day psychiatric evaluation. The evaluator released Polanski after 42 days, but the judge said he was going to send him back to serve out the 90 days.
Polanski then fled the country on Feb. 1, 1978, the day he was to be sentenced and has lived in France since.
Polanski claims the judge and prosecutors acted improperly. A California appeals court will listen to oral arguments from his attorneys next month. They will be urging the court to order a lower court to decide whether to dismiss charges against the fugitive director, whether he is present or not.
Roman Polanski addresses extradition
Director asks 'to be treated fairly' in website post
Source: Hollywood Reporter
PARIS -- Filmmaker Roman Polanski, breaking a months-long silence, said Sunday the U.S. is demanding his extradition from Switzerland on a 33-year-old sex case largely to serve him "on a platter to the media."
Polanski, who is under house arrest in his Alpine Swiss chalet, laid out his case against extradition on an online magazine run by one of his staunchest supporters, French philosopher Bernard-Henri Levy.
"I have had my share of dramas and joys, as we all have, and I am not going to try to ask you to pity my lot in life," he wrote. "I ask only to be treated fairly like anyone else."
Polanski suggests the case against him is unjust and riddled with discrepancies. Each argument begins with the phrase: "I can remain silent no longer."
One of Polanski's complaints is that Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley, "who is handling this case and has requested (the) extradition, is himself campaigning for election and needs media publicity!" Cooley is running for California attorney general.
Swiss authorities are trying to decide whether to extradite Polanski to Los Angeles for having sex in 1977 with a 13-year-old girl.
Polanski was arrested seven months ago as he arrived in Zurich to receive a lifetime achievement award at a film festival. The Oscar-winning director of "Rosemary's Baby," "Chinatown," "The Pianist" and more recently "The Ghost Writer" was put behind bars for more than two months before being transferred on $4.5 million bail to house arrest in the luxury resort of Gstaad.
Polanski wrote in the online magazine, La Regle du jeu, that he had mortgaged his apartment to pay the bail.
He added: "I can no longer remain silent because the United States continues to demand my extradition more to serve me on a platter to the media of the world than to pronounce a judgment concerning which an agreement was reached 33 years ago."
Swiss refuse to extradite Polanski
Director set free from house arrest in chalet
Source: Variety
BERLIN -- Switzerland released Roman Polanski from house arrest on Monday after deciding not to extradite the director to the U.S. to face sentencing for having unlawful sex with a teenager over three decades ago, Swiss Justice Minister Eveline Widmer-Schlumpf said on Monday.
"He is a free man," Widmer-Schlumpf told a news conference in the Swiss capital city of Berne, adding Polanski had been released at 11:30 a.m. local time. "He can go to France, or to Poland, anywhere where he will not be arrested."
Polanski, 76, was still at his mountain chalet in the ski town of Gstaad, where he had been held under house arrest. Widmer-Schlumpf said the foot bracelet that was used to monitor his movements had been switched off.
Polanski won a best director Oscar for his moving portrait of life in the Warsaw Jewish ghetto of World War II in "The Pianist."
"This is not about qualifying a crime," the Justice Minister told reporters. "That is not our duty. This is not about deciding on guilt or innocence."
She said the U.S. could appeal this decision but added she did not expect that would happen.
The release came after months of uncertainty -- and heightened international media attention -- over whether Polanski would have to return to the U.S. He was arrested in September 2009 as he arrived in Zurich to get a lifetime achievement award at the Zurich film festival.
Polanski's lawyer Herve Temime expressed his delight over the Swiss move. "It's an enormous satisfaction and a great relief after the pain suffered by Roman Polanski and his family," Temime said.
Polanski's arrest had prompted an outcry in the global film industry and especially in France, where he has been a long-time resident.
Polanski, who holds dual French and Polish citizenship, was put under house arrest in December 2009 at his chalet in luxury ski resort Gstaad, while Swiss officials awaited the outcome of U.S. legal proceedings.
Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with the girl but fled the U.S. on the eve of his 1978 sentencing because he believed a judge might overrule his plea.
He has lived in Europe since with the prospect of arrest looming if returned to the U.S. as he continued his film career outside Hollywood.
Polanski completed his latest film "The Ghost," based on the Robert Harris best-seller, while under arrest in Switzerland.
Before Widmer-Schlumpf's news conference, the Swiss Justice Ministry issued a statement on Polanski's release that said: "The reason for the decision lies in the fact that it was not possible to exclude with the necessary certainty a fault in the U.S. extraditionary request."
Slated Announces Inaugural Polanski & 'Seagull' Projects
via Deadline
Online film investment site Slated announced today that they have helped raise financing for a modern retelling of Anton Chekov's The Seagull and a follow-up to the Emmy-winning documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired. First announced at the Sundance Film Festival this year, Slated seeks to link up experienced and vetted filmmakers with investors to help indie movies secure financing. Partially funded via Slated, Christian Camargo's adaption of Anton Chekov's The Seagull marks The Hurt Locker actor's directorial debut. The film stars William Hurt, Katie Holmes and Allison Janney. Seagull is scheduled to start shooting in the next few months in upstate New York. Juliet Rylance is producing along with the New Globe Theater's Barbara Romer. Ed Vassallo is co-producer. The other film on Slated's slate is Roman Polanski: Odd Man Out. The documentary is director Marina Zenovich's follow-up to her 2008 Emmy-winning HBO film Roman Polanski: Wanted And Desired. The new film chronicles the Oscar winning director's successful 2010 battle to avoid extradition in to the U.S. to face charges stemming from a 1977 sexual assault of a minor. Lila Yacoub produces Odd Man Out with Steven Soderbergh and Randy Wooten as executive producers. Co-founded by Duncan Cork, Stephan Paternot, William Mapother and Gavan Gravesen, Slated claims that they have investors with more than $100 million in capital to put into films that meet the site's criteria.
Roman Polanski To Helm 'D,' Based On The Dreyfus Affair Political Scandal
via Deadline
PARIS, FRANCE / LOS ANGELES, CA – May 9 , 2012 — Roman Polanski announced today that his next feature film project will be the political thriller "D," based on the Dreyfus affair, one of the most sensational political scandals and miscarriages of justice in history.
"D" reunites the team behind Polanski's 2010 award-winning movie The Ghost Writer. Polanski will direct from a screenplay written by Robert Harris, with long-time Polanski collaborators Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde serving as producers. The independently financed film will begin casting shortly and currently plans to be in production in Paris by the end of this year. Lionsgate/Summit International will represent the film's international sales. ICM will represent North American rights.
"I have long wanted to make a film about the Dreyfus Affair, treating it not as a costume drama but as a spy story," said Polanski. "In this way one can show its absolute relevance to what is happening in today's world – the age-old spectacle of the witch-hunt of a minority group, security paranoia, secret military tribunals, out-of-control intelligence agencies, governmental cover-ups, and a rabid press."
In December 1894, Captain Alfred Dreyfus, one of the few Jewish officers on the General Staff of the French Army, was subjected to a secret court martial for passing secrets to the Germans. Found guilty, he was sentenced to life imprisonment and sent to Devil's Island.
However, the man charged with making sure Dreyfus never returned – Colonel Georges Picquart, the newly-appointed head of French counter-intelligence – gradually began to realize a huge mistake had been made and the real traitor was still at large. His attempts to prove it led him into a direct clash with his superiors. Picquart himself was then framed for crimes he had not committed and sent to prison.
It was to be twelve years before Dreyfus was eventually cleared of all charges. By then, the case had become one of the most talked-about events in the world.
Roman Polanski Will Next Direct an Adaptation of David Ives' Broadway Success 'Venus in Fur'
Source: IndieWire
Roman Polanski announced Thursday that before making his planned Drefyus affair drama "D.," he will direct an independently financed French-language adaptation of the David Ives play "Venus in Fur." He has set Emmanuelle Seigner and Louis Garrel to star and plans a November production start in Paris.
"I've been looking for a chance to make a film in French with Emmanuelle for a long time," said Polanski, who directed Seigner in "Frantic" (1988) and "Bitter Moon" (1992). "Reading 'Venus in Fur' I realized the moment had arrived. I got so fired up to put this brilliant black comedy on film that I decided to fit it in before 'D.,' whose screenplay and pre-production will demand a few more months."
"Fur" involves an actress performing a sexually charged audition for a gifted playwright, who has adapted the classic erotic novel "Venus in Fur." It has played both on and off Broadway, received a Tony nomination for best play and earned star Nina Arianda a Tony for best actress.
Polanski, who last directed an adaptation of the award-winning Yasmina Reza play "God of Carnage," which Sony Pictures Classics released in 2011, is adapting the "Fur" screenplay with Ives. Robert Benmussa and Alain Sarde are producing.
Seigner, who has two children with Polanski, recently starred in Francois Ozon's "In the House," which just had its premiere at the Toronto film festival, Dario Argento's 2009 thriller "Giallo" and Julian Schnabel's Oscar-nominated 2007 drama "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly."
ICM Partners is handling North American rights to the film, while Lionsgate/Summit International is repping international sales.
Polanski's co-writer on "The Ghost Writer," Robert Harris, is scripting the "D." project.
Quote from: MacGuffin on September 20, 2012, 03:48:24 PM
Polanski, who directed Seigner in "Frantic" (1988) and "Bitter Moon" (1992).
Smart not to bring up "The Ninth Gate".
I sold my copy of 'The Ninth Gate' today. I just can't have any of that rapists work residing in my house, sorry.
Roman Polanski's 'Venus' Heading To U.S. Via Sundance Selects
via IndieWire
Roman Polanski's "Venus In Fur" will head to the U.S. via Sundance Selects, it was announced today. The film -- which just had its world premiere in Cannes -- stars Polanski's wife and frequent collaborator Emmanuelle Seigner as Vanda, an actress who shows up late to an audition for Thomas (Mathieu Almaric), a writer-director with some sadomasochist issues.
The deal for the film was negotiated by Arianna Bocco, Senior Vice President of Acquisitions & Productions for Sundance Selects/IFC Films with Jeff Berg at Resolution on behalf of the filmmakers.
Christoph Waltz Will Solve 'True Crimes,' As Roman Polanski Eyes Directing
via The Playlist
Waltz is now aboard "True Crimes," a project his "Carnage" director Roman Polanski was kicking the tires on a couple years back (http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/roman_polanski_circling_polish_postmodern_mystery_true_crime). Based on a 2008 New Yorker articl (http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/02/11/080211fa_fact_grann)e by David Grann, the true story kicks off in December 2000 with Dariusz Janiszewski found dead in the Oder River in Poland. Police investigated, but after six months the case ran cold and was presumed unsolved, until detective Jacek Wroblewski (Waltz's role) picked it up. He targeted Krystian Bala, a Polish intellectual for the crime, and the investigation grew more interesting when it was revealed that the murder had some eerie similarities with Bala's book "Amok." Soon Jacek "becomes entangled in the dark underworld of Poland's sex rings, prostitution and drugs" as he tries to solve the case.
Said to be in the vein of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" (which every Euro thriller is compared to now), there's no director yet but apparently, Polanski is still interested. So we could see a little reunion here if that works out. Brett Ratner is one of the producers which is still mind boggling, and a distributor needs to be found.
Alexandre Desplat Reteams With Roman Polanski, Will Score Dreyfus Affair Drama 'D'
via The Playlist
Desplat is Polanski's go-to music guy at present, having done "Carnage," "The Ghost Writer" and even the documentary "Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir." "D," scripted by novelist Robert Harris, on whose novel Polanski's "The Ghost Writer" was based, is about the notorious Dreyfus affair (about which Harris has also just written a novel, "An Officer and a Spy"). The Dreyfus affair centered on a Jewish officer in the French army whose (blatantly fixed) conviction in 1894 for selling military secrets to Germany triggered years of political and cultural conflict in France and essentially drew the battle-lines along which the French left and right fought for most of the 20th century.
Director Roman Polanski, actress Mia Farrow and producer Robert Evans tell the story of bringing "Rosemary's Baby" to life.
Polish Judge Rejects Extradition of Roman Polanski
via The NY Times
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fxguw8w2.jpg&hash=2dc37e532d47aa2216e56142937429ce59e87a73)
The Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski, right, with his lawyer Jerzy Stachowicz in court last month in Krakow, Poland
KRAKOW, Poland — A judge in Poland on Friday turned down a request by the United States for the extradition of the filmmaker Roman Polanski, who is wanted over a 1977 conviction for having sex with a 13-year-old girl.
At a hearing in Krakow, Judge Dariusz Mazur ruled that turning over Mr. Polanski would be an "obviously unlawful" deprivation of liberty and that California would be unlikely to provide humane living conditions for the filmmaker, who is 82.
"I am very happy that the case is ending," Mr. Polanski said at a news conference in Krakow after the ruling, the latest development in a 38-year trans-Atlantic legal controversy. "This has been a tremendous burden on me and my family."
Mr. Polanski, a citizen of France and Poland, has been working on a film in Poland about Alfred Dreyfus, a French Army captain who was wrongly convicted of spying for Germany in 1894.
Over the years, prosecutors and judges in Los Angeles have said that Mr. Polanski must return to the United States to face sentencing. His lawyers have asserted that improprieties by the trial judge and others violated his legal rights.
Judge Mazur sided with Mr. Polanski's lawyers. "I'm terrified by the statements of some of my colleagues in the U.S.," he said, citing a report last year that a Los Angeles judge had planned to have Mr. Polanski "cool his heels in jail" if he returned to the United States by delaying a ruling on a proposed deal under which the judge would limit his sentence to 42 days served by the filmmaker in 1977-78. (The deal did not materialize.)
"If I were to behave like them, I'd lose the respect of all my subordinates here," Judge Mazur said. "I do not find any logical, rational explanation as to why the U.S. is pursuing the extradition."
Mr. Polanski did not attend the hearing but said afterward, "I am happy that I trusted the Polish justice system." He praised the judge as "incredibly well-informed," adding, "Frankly, I was moved."
Judge Mazur's ruling is not necessarily the final step in the Polish case; prosecutors could appeal. "We will wait until we get the full decision in writing before deciding whether to appeal," the regional prosecutor, Danuta Bieniarz, said after the ruling. (Complicating the matter, an influential politician in the right-wing party that drew the most votes in parliamentary elections on Sunday, Mariusz Blaszczak, has expressed sympathy for the American position.)
A lawyer for Mr. Polanski, Jan Olszewski, had argued passionately against the extradition, which the United States formally requested from the Polish government in January. "The victim in this case did not want jail time for Polanski," Mr. Olszewski said. "She forgave him. This is rare in this kind of case."
He added: "This is not a matter of justice. This is not about the victim. She said that the whole proceeding has harmed her more than what Mr. Polanski did to her."
Mr. Olszweski and another defense lawyer, Jerzy Stachowicz, repeatedly cited the 2008 documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired," which suggested prosecutorial overreach and judicial misconduct by officials in the United States. They argued that extraditing Mr. Polanski would violate the European Convention on Human Rights and his right to a fair trial.
In contrast, Ms. Bieniarz, the regional prosecutor, kept her argument brief. "In our opinion, there are no legal grounds to stop the extradition," she told Judge Mazur. "The case has not expired under American law, and we do not think that the extradition is unlawful, on the basis of Polish law. There is no proof that Polanski will be treated inhumanely in the United States."
Shiara Dávila-Morales, a spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office, said in a statement, "Our position on this matter remains the same." A spokeswoman from the Los Angeles County Superior Court declined to comment.
The legal decision in Poland follows Switzerland's refusal in 2010 to extradite Mr. Polanski. He had been arrested at the Zurich airport and held for about 10 months during a series of hearings similar to the ones in Poland.
In Switzerland, the authorities said that they had not been given enough information about the case to justify sending Mr. Polanski to the United States for sentencing. They pointed in particular to a failure by officials in Los Angeles to forward sealed testimony by Roger Gunson, a now-retired lawyer who originally prosecuted the case.
Mr. Gunson gave provisional testimony in 2009, when he was gravely ill, about a plan by the 1970s trial judge, Laurence J. Rittenband, to limit Mr. Polanski's sentence to a 90-day psychiatric evaluation, a portion of which Mr. Polanski served in Chino State Prison. Mr. Gunson's account was not provided to the Polish court.
Mr. Gunson is still alive, and the testimony has not been unsealed. Judge Rittenband died in 1993.
Mr. Polanski was first arrested in 1977 on charges that included the rape of the 13-year-old girl at the home of the actor Jack Nicholson. In 1978, he fled the United States on the eve of sentencing under an agreement by which he was to plead guilty to a count of statutory rape.
Mr. Polanski left the country after learning that Judge Rittenband had decided to revise his plan to limit his sentence.
The victim in the case for which Mr. Polanski was convicted, Samantha Geimer, who revisited the legal proceedings in a 2013 memoir, wrote on her Facebook page on Friday: "If they were smart, they'd stop trying to bring him back. If they ever do, the truth about the corruption in the D.A.'s office and court will finally be known."
In December, Judge James R. Brandlin of the Los Angeles County Superior Court dismissed a motion in which Alan M. Dershowitz, who then represented Mr. Polanski, argued that prosecutors had provided false information to the Swiss authorities. The motion also cited internal court emails that Mr. Dershowitz contended were evidence that a Superior Court judge in 2009 unethically prejudged issues related to the case.
In 2009, a California appeals court panel suggested that Mr. Polanski could be sentenced in absentia, opening the way to possible resolution of the long standoff. But that suggestion was rejected by the Superior Court.
Mr. Polanski is now represented in the United States by Harland W. Braun, a defense lawyer whose celebrity clients have included the actors Robert Blake, Gary Busey and Roseanne Barr. After the retirement of Mr. Polanski's longtime lawyer, Douglas Dalton, Mr. Braun was recruited for the job by the Hollywood filmmaker and power broker Brett Ratner.
In an email, Mr. Braun noted that the Polish judge had cited emails that "had been hidden for many years" in announcing his decision. Mr. Braun urged that the case be removed from the Los Angeles court system and that Mr. Polanski "be sentenced in absentia as suggested by an appellate court many years ago."
Since 2012, Mr. Polanski has talked of directing the film about Captain Dreyfus, whose 1894 trial stirred accusations of anti-Semitism and polarized France. Mr. Polanski has said he views the film, of which Mr. Ratner is a producer and an investor, as a way to teach lessons about official misbehavior.
Roman Polanski To Direct Olivier Assayas Penned 'Based On A True Story'
via The Playlist
Never quite free of his legal problems, and continuing to be something of a divisive figure in the industry, director Roman Polanski has in recent years been on something of a hot streak, in particular knocking out "The Ghost Writer," "Carnage," and "Venus In Fur" in quick succession. But three years have passed since the latter, and while at one point it looked like his $40 million biopic about Alfred Dreyfus was good to go to start filming in Poland, that quietly went away. But now it looks like there's another potential film on his plate.
Allocine reveals that Polanski will direct an adaptation of the French fiction bestseller "Based On A True Story" by author Delphine de Vigan. Intriguingly, Olivier Assayas ("Clouds Of Sils Maria," "Personal Shopper") will be penning the script for this one, which tells the story of a writer, going through a rough period after the release of his latest book, who gets mixed up with an admirer.
Quote from: wilder on February 26, 2014, 12:52:06 PM
Alexandre Desplat Reteams With Roman Polanski, Will Score Dreyfus Affair Drama 'D'
Roman Polanski To Begin Work On His Next Film With Star Jean Dujardin Attachedvia The PlaylistAllocine is reporting that Polanski will shortly begin production on his next film, "J'accuse." The film is expected to tell the story of the famous Dreyfus affair, which was a political scandal that rocked France in the late 19th century. The scandal included a Jewish man being wrongfully convicted of treason, even after there was irrefutable evidence showing someone else was the culprit.
Polanski has long been in development of a film surrounding this topic but admitted multiple times that it was going to be a costly project and would have to land a major star to secure funding. Well, the report states that the filmmaker found that star in Jean Dujardin.
Dujardin, for those unfamiliar, is a major French actor, best known around the world for his Oscar-winning performance in "The Artist." The actor has a long filmography of French films, including the acclaimed 'OSS 117' films. He's also shown up in several US productions, such as "The Monuments Men" and "The Wolf of Wall Street."
Nice, any new Polanski release is exciting for me.
July 28, 2020
The Tenant aka Le locataire (1976) on blu-ray from Scream Factory
(https://i.imgur.com/PUXyiJA.jpg)
An apartment with an unhappy past sets the stage for filmmaker Roman Polanski's riveting psychological suspense thriller, The Tenant. Polanski stars as Trelkovsky, a quiet, timid file clerk increasingly overshadowed with dread and fear after he moves into his new apartment. Adding to his paranoia are the building's other occupants, who do nothing to alleviate his growing obsession with the untimely, tragic fate of the apartment's previous tenant. Is Trelkovsky's dread truly justified – or is it simply the result of his seemingly disintegrating mental state?
Perfect timing.
July 13, 2021
The Pianist (2002) on blu-ray from Shout Factory
(https://i.imgur.com/79btaab.jpg)
A Polish Jewish musician struggles to survive the destruction of the Warsaw ghetto of World War II.
'The Palace': Roman Polanski Will Begin Production On His Next Film This Fall In Europe
The Playlist
His most recent film, "The Officer and the Spy," debuted at the Venice Film Festival in 2019, eventually winning the Grand Jury Prize and the FIPRESCI Prize. And now, a couple of years later, filming is set to begin soon on his latest feature, "The Palace."
According to Deadline, Rai Cinema is the studio that is backing the upcoming film, "The Palace," by director Roman Polanski. The film is based on a script that Polanski co-wrote with Polish filmmaker Jerzy Skolimowski and tells the story of various guests at a luxurious Swiss hotel on the night of New Year's Eve in 1999.
No release date has been set for "The Palace," but if production begins in the fall, a 2022 festival premiere date is likely.