Okay, so I guess I am getting sucked into the whole Roman Polanski thing, if only because of what seems to be some Bizarro World arguments being made against Polanski being extradited back to the US, mostly by people in the entertainment biz who think being a Great Artiste (conceding the point, for sake of argument) trumps everything else.
That’s pretty much how I interpret this petition, calling for Polanski to be freed.
We have learned the astonishing news of Roman Polanski’s arrest by the Swiss police on September 26th, upon arrival in Zurich (Switzerland) while on his way to a film festival where he was due to receive an award for his career in filmmaking.
Polanski ought to have been aware that Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the US. In the past, he’s avoided going to countries where that’s the case; either he forgot, or didn’t think it could happen to him. There has been not only a US warrant for his arrest since 1978, but an international (Interpol) warrant since 2005.
His arrest follows an American arrest warrant dating from 1978 against the filmmaker, in a case of morals.
In the same sense, I suppose, that Charles Manson was indicted for a “case of morals.”
In Polanski’s case, the “morals” had to do with his casting-couch coercion of sex from a 13-year-old aspiring actress. I’d consider that a case of “rape,” not just some little peccadillo that those repressed American prudes just need to lighten up about.
Polanski had actually pled and been found guilty of this, as part of a plea bargain, then fled the US before sentencing. There are questions about the prosecution, and about the intent of the sentencing judge to disregard the plea agreement — but the real point here is that Polanski fled the US and failed to appear in court for sentencing. That’s actually what the arrest warrant is for, since the rape (pled to “unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor”) is judicially settled.
Filmmakers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision.
I am dismayed by their dismay.
It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by the police to apprehend him.
By their extraterritorial nature, film festivals the world over have always permitted works to be shown and for filmmakers to present them freely and safely, even when certain States opposed this.
The arrest of Roman Polanski in a neutral country, where he assumed he could travel without hindrance, undermines this tradition: it opens the way for actions of which no-one can know the effects.
If Polanski wasn’t smart enough to know whether Switzerland has an extradition treaty with the US (he certainly seemed to know what other countries did or did not), that’s sort of his goof, isn’t it?
But let me get this straight — is the position of the petitioners that someone who is a great contemporary film icon — director, writer, producer, actor, whatever — somehow immune to prosecution or sentencing? Or that international film festivals have the same claim to inviolable “sanctuary” as, say, churches?
Um, yes, that does indeed seem to be what they are saying. Which is, frankly, stupid (and “opens the way for actions of which no-one can know the effects”).
Roman Polanski is a French citizen, a renown and international artist now facing extradition. This extradition, if it takes place, will be heavy in consequences and will take away his freedom.
Um, yes, that usually is what happens when you are convicted of a crime (a crime you pled guilty to, by the way) and then flee the jurisdiction before sentencing. Using France as “Prisoner’s Base” doesn’t make that go away — and, for that matter, I suspect someone tried and convicted in a French court who fled before sentencing would be frowned upon by French jurists, too.
Filmmakers, actors, producers and technicians – everyone involved in international filmmaking – want him to know that he has their support and friendship.
Really. Everyone? Wow.
On September 16th, 2009, Mr. Charles Rivkin, the US Ambassador to France, received French artists and intellectuals at the embassy. He presented to them the new Minister Counselor for Public Affairs at the embassy, Ms Judith Baroody. In perfect French she lauded the Franco-American friendship and recommended the development of cultural relations between our two countries.
If only in the name of this friendship between our two countries, we demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski.
“I won’t be your friend if you don’t do what I say.” Yeah, that’s always the basis for a solid relationship (and, frankly, makes you sound like the Bush Administration).
The petition is signed by, among others, Terry Gilliam, David Lynch, Martin Scorsese, the Cannes Film Festival, and a host of people whose names I didn’t recognize in the very long list (though not quite, as far as I can tell, “everyone involved in international filmmaking,” unless that only happens in France, because that’s where it sounds like most the names and organizations are from.
My respect for the personal qualities of the individuals and organizations involved (vs. their professional skills) in the petition is significantly reduced.