Roman Polanski Arrested

[creekster]

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

In true SU fashion I read a review of the documentary but have not seen it. It might be good. Who knows (not me)? But, my point is that he pled guilty, there is strong evidence supporting the plea, and he took advanatage of the freedom he was granted between plea and sentencing to escape. If he was in fact being screwed by the judge he oculd have demanded a trial (but he didnt like the sentecce the judge threatened if he was convicted, as he almost certaionly would have been) or he could have appeared at snetincign and then filed an appeal (which would probabyl lose, but hey, if he hadn't raped a child in the first place he wouldnt have to worry about it). Instead, he skips out to go live in France and continue to make movies.

I imagine that his movies can be judged on their own merits (although i have to admit everytime I see CHinatown I now wish he would get cut up badly in the scene by the reservoir) but as a human he is descpiable and I have no pity for hiim being arrested now, in switzerland, ofr this crime. In the past european extraditions have stalled where the death penalty is involved but that should not be an issue here, and he was NOT tried in absentia. While I have no real interest in the case, it appears to me that justice would have him returned here for sentencing and incaceration.

[falafel]

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.

To be fair (to me), I wasn't really serious.

[creekster]

To be fair (to me), I wasn't really serious.

Geez, I wish you had told me before i typed all that out.

[Green Lantern]

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

I'm just saying that I think we're referring to the same film. But since I've actually seen it, I am comfortable saying that the filmmakers do not try to sugarcoat or excuse his despicable crime. It's definitely a documentary that could make for some lively discussion but, once again, participants in this proposed discussion would be required to actually watch the film.

However, I can assure you that Polanski does not profit from the film in any way, so it's not on your banned list.

[Green Lantern]

I imagine that his movies can be judged on their own merits (although i have to admit everytime I see CHinatown I now wish he would get cut up badly in the scene by the reservoir) but as a human he is descpiable and I have no pity for hiim being arrested now, in switzerland, ofr this crime. In the past european extraditions have stalled where the death penalty is involved but that should not be an issue here, and he was NOT tried in absentia. While I have no real interest in the case, it appears to me that justice would have him returned here for sentencing and incaceration.

LOL, yeah, I guess he doesn't do himself any favors by actually appearing in small role in the movie as a guy viewers actively hate.

[falafel]

Geez, I wish you had told me before i typed all that out.

Sorry.

I will say that your post prevented me from even beginning to continue arguing that position. So it wasn't all for nothing. It saved me from looking like an ignorant ass. That happens enough already.

[Green Lantern]

Hey Killer, while I stand by my statements about the nature of the documentary, I am in total agreement with you and others on this thread who have pointed out the shameful nature of some of the apologist posturing that's been going on in the wake of Polanski's arrest. I still like the discussion on this thread about whether it's possible to view and appreciate the artist's work outside of his misdeeds, but crap like this: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/joan-z...b_301134.html? Just trash.

[Solon]

I will not watch a film to determine "facts" on this case. The film idustry seems full of apologists. To me, that is like asking the Catholics for "facts" regarding sexual abuse by priests. They are too close to be truthful. I read her Grand Jury testimony. That is enough for me. Granted, it might not all be true but even the parts he admits to are sufficiently criminal.

Just because a source is biased doesn't mean it lacks value as a source.

Why don't you watch the documentary before you decide? Seems like the easiest way to do some due diligence, even if it only serves to point you in the direction of additional sources.

I think Lantern brings up a valid point: does the art deserve our admiration, even if the artist deserves our unmitigated scorn? The world enjoys the fruit of many artists and inventors of dubious character.

[creekster]

Just because a source is biased doesn't mean it lacks value as a source.

Why don't you watch the documentary before you decide? Seems like the easiest way to do some due diligence, even if it only serves to point you in the direction of additional sources.

I think Lantern brings up a valid point: does the art deserve our admiration, even if the artist deserves our unmitigated scorn? The world enjoys the fruit of many artists and inventors of dubious character.

My guess is that if we decided to ignore art from any artist thatlived a criminal or unaccptably wanton lifestyl we would have few choices of movies or museums ot attend. For the most part, I think art should be judged on its own merits. That having been said, I cannot be critical af anyone that chooses to make sure the artust is not actually ebnfitted financially. IOW it is one thign to say chinatown is a great film; it is another to go buy the box set of polanski's greatest works.

[byu71]

I guess I am lucky because I think his movies suck. Therefor I do not have a conflict of interest in saying he committed an awful transgression.

I can appreciate how those of you who like his films are conflicted.

[Green Lantern]

I guess I am lucky because I think his movies suck. Therefor I do not have a conflict of interest in saying he committed an awful transgression.

I can appreciate how those of you who like his films are conflicted.

Your good fortune knows no bounds.

[byu71]

Your good fortune knows no bounds.

Yes, but who knows when that ship of fortune is finally going to be grounded.

[Green Lantern]

I think Lantern brings up a valid point: does the art deserve our admiration, even if the artist deserves our unmitigated scorn? The world enjoys the fruit of many artists and inventors of dubious character.

My goal is to eventually turn this thread into an appreciation of Nazi propagandist filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.

[creekster]

My goal is to eventually turn this thread into an appreciation of Nazi propagandist filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.

Eventually, everythign on the internet reutrns to to the Nazis

[byu71]

My goal is to eventually turn this thread into an appreciation of Nazi propagandist filmmaker Leni Riefenstahl.

I have to admit, you guys are smart as hades. I have never heard of the guy.

Do you guys know what fortran and cobol are?