Roman Polanski Arrested

[KillerDog]

Killer, are you really as shocked as you claim that the Academy gave him an Oscar? Are they meant to judge a person's life or just his film? Even an ugly person can create something beautiful.

I'm disgusted by it. I have known a few members of the Academy. They do not only judge the films. They judge the politics and lives of the individuals. Polanski would be aware of this and would take the Academy Award for what it is intended to be, an endorsement of his life.

I promise you this, if Polanski's crime had been racially charged violence against a black youth, he would not have gotten the Academy Award.

[creekster]

To be fair, Polanski's not trying to live in our society.

He was until we objected to his tratement of a child. He has also been happy to reap the benfits of our society's patronage of his films.

[falafel]

He was until we objected to his tratement of a child. He has also been happy to reap the benfits of our society's patronage of his films.

Oh crap, society's gone global. Perhaps we can move him to a south pacific island inhabited by pygmies. Actually, that's probably a bad idea, given his past crimes.

[Green Lantern]

What facts do we need abotu the case? He pleaded guilty, didn't he?

Yeah, but it's a fascinating case with a lot of interesting characters besides Polanski and some weird twists too. Really an interesting documentary.

[KillerDog]

Also, where does it end? I mean, couldn't we probably find something offensive in the behavior of about 95% of the actors/directors/filmmakers in Hollywood? Should we only see movies involving actors with sterling moral character?

Not a valid argument but I'll address it anyway. A society needs to have laws that reach all of its members. If Polanski was serving time in prison, I would see his films for their own merit. Since he is dodging the justice that the people have set for him, I refuse.

[Green Lantern]

I suppose we could find something offensive in which most of Hollywood has participated. That is a fair point.

At the same time, I've never felt like I've deprived myself of anything by skipping a movie. They just aren't that big of deal to me. The actor or director still makes a ton of money, but it satisfies me to know that none of it came from me.

Fair enough.

[KillerDog]

To be fair, Polanski's not trying to live in our society.

He sure tries to sell his films here.

[Green Lantern]

Not a valid argument but I'll address it anyway. A society needs to have laws that reach all of its members. If Polanski was serving time in prison, I would see his films for their own merit. Since he is dodging the justice that the people have set for him, I refuse.

But isn't this whole thread about the fact that he's been arrested? Maybe this will all have a happy ending, in that you will finally be able to watch some of his movies!

[creekster]

Oh crap, society's gone global. Perhaps we can move him to a south pacific island inhabited by pygmies. Actually, that's probably a bad idea, given his past crimes.

You do realize, right, that he was living here when it happened? And that he appeared and pleaded guilty to the crime in our courts? And that he skipped on a sentencing hearing he had agreed to appear at in one fo our courts? Oh, and you realize the child he raped was here as well, right?

You said to be fair we had to say he did not want to live here. My point is that we are being more than fair becasue he was judged here (and he agreed by pleading guilty) after he committed a crime here while he was living here. Your clear headed analysis seeks to be fair to him by giving him the benefit of his fugitive status, which doesn't seem fair at all, to me.

[KillerDog]

Whoa, I think you misunderstood me. The documentary is not some apologist work defending Polanski. It's just a documentary about the case and I figured if people want to know what we're all talking about, they could do worse than checking it out. It doesn't make Polanski out to be any less of a creep than he is. I was just recommending the film, not making any accusations about your knowledge of the case.

I understand that the documentary is about how the judge screwed Polanski. If it is a different film, I'm mistaken and retract my criticism of it in particular. At the same time, I reiterate my position that I would not trust it to be unbiased.

[KillerDog]

But isn't this whole thread about the fact that he's been arrested? Maybe this will all have a happy ending, in that you will finally be able to watch some of his movies!

Based on what I know of extradition law, he will be sent to France. I think they should re-open the case here in the states, have a trial, and then lob him into jail.

[falafel]

Not a valid argument but I'll address it anyway. A society needs to have laws that reach all of its members. If Polanski was serving time in prison, I would see his films for their own merit. Since he is dodging the justice that the people have set for him, I refuse.

You're turning this thread into a discussion about Polanski's profit from his films, whereas we were discussing whether the film can be critiqued outside of the context of its creator's crimes. You have already said that you will view the film if he's put in jail, so you must agree that the film has artistic merit on its own. Nothing about the film itself will change if/when Polanksi is incarcerated.

[Green Lantern]

I understand that the documentary is about how the judge screwed Polanski. If it is a different film, I'm mistaken and retract my criticism of it in particular. At the same time, I reiterate my position that I would not trust it to be unbiased.

We're talking about the same film. The only real difference is that one of us has actually seen it and is therefore more qualified to comment on its content. But far be it from me to deprive a man of his preconceived notions!

(And just keep in mind, for the record, we both agree that Polanski is guilty of sex crimes and deserves jail time.)

[KillerDog]

You're turning this thread into a discussion about Polanski's profit from his films, whereas we were discussing whether the film can be critiqued outside of the context of its creator's crimes. You have already said that you will view the film if he's put in jail, so you must agree that the film has artistic merit on its own. Nothing about the film itself will change if/when Polanksi is incarcerated.

Profit can be monetary as well as non-monetary. I despise the fact that those who "critique" the film on its own merits awarded him non-monetary profit in the form of an academy award. The artist makes his art for approval. I refuse to approve of his art by watching it until he agrees to be governed by the laws that we have all agreed on.

[KillerDog]

We're talking about the same film. The only real difference is that one of us has actually seen it and is therefore more qualified to comment on its content. But far be it from me to deprive a man of his preconceived notions!

(And just keep in mind, for the record, we both agree that Polanski is guilty of sex crimes and deserves jail time.)

So, you admit that the film is about how the JUDGE screwed Polanski but you think it isn't made by apologists?