Roman Polanski Arrested

[Green Lantern]

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

Probably when you give in and accept the unfettered awesomeness that is Johnny Depp in Roman Polanski's THE NINTH GATE!

[Tim]

That's interesting. I wonder if it will affect his overall artistic legacy. After all, this isn't some minor B-movie hack. This is a guy who has won an Oscar for Best Director (THE PIANIST) and is credited with directing what is regularly referred to as one of the greatest films of all time (CHINATOWN.) Great films regularly outlive poor box-office reception and minor controversy. I have little doubt that Polanski's films will overshadow this incident in the historical record. What do people think about that? I mean, I'm sure there have gotta be people out there who will suggest boycotting Polanski films forever.

For me, the Polanski issue has always pointed me toward thoughts about the impact of trauma on our personal lives more than any type of derision of the man himself. Some seriously wild things happened to the man, and his actions might have been his response to those traumas.

My little brother and my sisters were in the car accident that killed my mom, and they did some wild things in the subsequent years. In some ways, their personalities completely changed at that moment. Most of the time I've kindof looked away from the stupid things they've done since then, especially in the case of my little brother, saying, "well, he's been through a lot. I can't imagine what he went through, so while his actions aren't excusable, they might be understandable, at least in the context of his own mind."

I apply that same principle to Roman Polanski and always have.

[Green Lantern]

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?

A google search says something about computer programming languages, but I'm sticking with my gut, which says planets on BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

[Tim]

Yeah, I certainly don't think that HE should escape his past. I just hope the films do. By the way, it's sounding like no one commenting here has seen CHINATOWN! I envy people who have yet to see it for the first time.

It's one of the greatest films ever made.

[Tim]

I now have an irrepressible desire to see Kurt Hale's CHINATOWN.

You make a good point. I'm kind of a director-whore, so it's one of those things I always pay attention to when I watch a movie, but naturally a lot of people are watching and enjoying THE PIANIST without any idea who Polanski is.

I'm a director guy, too.

[Green Lantern]

"well, he's been through a lot. I can't imagine what he went through, so while his actions aren't excusable, they might be understandable, at least in the context of his own mind."

I apply that same principle to Roman Polanski and always have.

That's interesting, because that same line of thought actually shows up in that documentary I mentioned earlier. We don't have to excuse someone's actions, but I think it's always a good idea to try to understand them if we can, even if that just involves putting things in context. It's human nature to desire that understanding. It helps us make sense of the universe.

[byu71]

A google search says something about computer programming languages, but I'm sticking with my gut, which says planets on BATTLESTAR GALACTICA.

I guess I have a little smarts in me after all. I knew they were computer programming languages back in the late 60's early 70's without having to go to google.

I even know Cobol was used for business applications.

[creekster]

For me, the Polanski issue has always pointed me toward thoughts about the impact of trauma on our personal lives more than any type of derision of the man himself. Some seriously wild things happened to the man, and his actions might have been his response to those traumas.

My little brother and my sisters were in the car accident that killed my mom, and they did some wild things in the subsequent years. In some ways, their personalities completely changed at that moment. Most of the time I've kindof looked away from the stupid things they've done since then, especially in the case of my little brother, saying, "well, he's been through a lot. I can't imagine what he went through, so while his actions aren't excusable, they might be understandable, at least in the context of his own mind."

I apply that same principle to Roman Polanski and always have.

If you are saying that you want to sit in your home and 'understand' the rape of a 13 year old and so feel fine about watchign his movies, go ahead.

But if you are suggesting, at all, that his crime shoudl be excused, or his sentence commuted or forgiven, then I could not disagree more vigorously. Most child abusers have had rotten lives. Too bad. You rape a 13 year old, you admit it by pleading guilty, even if the judge is upsetting you, then you need ot pay tyher price. You shoule never be allowed to go live in France and make moovies and enjoy life and then trade on your own refusal to accept punishment for your admitted crime in seeking to avoid the punhsiment.

[falafel]

I can't imagine what he went through, so while his actions aren't excusable, they might be understandable, at least in the context of his own mind."

If you are saying that you want to sit in your home and 'understand' the rape of a 13 year old and so feel fine about watchign his movies, go ahead.

But if you are suggesting, at all, that his crime shoudl be excused, or his sentence commuted or forgiven, then I could not disagree more vigorously. Most child abusers have had rotten lives. Too bad. You rape a 13 year old, you admit it by pleading guilty, even if the judge is upsetting you, then you need ot pay tyher price. You shoule never be allowed to go live in France and make moovies and enjoy life and then trade on your own refusal to accept punishment for your admitted crime in seeking to avoid the punhsiment.

He said they weren't excusable.

[il Padrino Ute]

For me, the Polanski issue has always pointed me toward thoughts about the impact of trauma on our personal lives more than any type of derision of the man himself. Some seriously wild things happened to the man, and his actions might have been his response to those traumas.

My little brother and my sisters were in the car accident that killed my mom, and they did some wild things in the subsequent years. In some ways, their personalities completely changed at that moment. Most of the time I've kindof looked away from the stupid things they've done since then, especially in the case of my little brother, saying, "well, he's been through a lot. I can't imagine what he went through, so while his actions aren't excusable, they might be understandable, at least in the context of his own mind."

I apply that same principle to Roman Polanski and always have.

I have a hard time accepting this Tim. I don't believe that Polanski raped a 13 year old because the Manson family murdered Sharon Tate, or for any other reason. Perhaps in his mind, it was understandable, but in my mind, he's just another person who doesn't want to be held accountable for his actions.

[creekster]

He said they weren't excusable.

Right, I acknowledged that in the first paragraph, but his statement implied foriveness and, in my mind, if it means anyting beyond understanding or allowing film reantls with a clear conscience then it goes too far.

[falafel]

I have a hard time accepting this Tim. I don't believe that Polanski raped a 13 year old because the Manson family murdered Sharon Tate, or for any other reason. Perhaps in his mind, it was understandable, but in my mind, he's just another person who doesn't want to be held accountable for his actions.

Right, I acknowledged that in the first paragraph, but his statement implied foriveness and, in my mind, if it means anyting beyond understanding or allowing film reantls with a clear conscience then it goes too far.

I can't speak for Tim, but my take on what Tim is saying is that we should seek to try and understand the context from which actions like these are taken. I don't think that has anything to do with excusing or forgiving the actions. Instead, I think its concerned with rehabilitating the person (to the extent possible) and preventing these things from happening again.

[il Padrino Ute]

I can't speak for Tim, but my take on what Tim is saying is that we should seek to try and understand the context from which actions like these are taken. I don't think that has anything to do with excusing or forgiving the actions. Instead, I think its concerned with rehabilitating the person (to the extent possible) and preventing these things from happening again.

It could be prevented by locking him up.

I have no sympathy for those who commit particular crimes - rape, incest, murder, etc. Polanski raped a young girl and cowardly fled the country to avoid punishment. Too many celebrity types believe themselves to be above the law and my guess would be that Polanski is one of those celebrities.

[creekster]

I can't speak for Tim, but my take on what Tim is saying is that we should seek to try and understand the context from which actions like these are taken. I don't think that has anything to do with excusing or forgiving the actions. Instead, I think its concerned with rehabilitating the person (to the extent possible) and preventing these things from happening again.

rehabilitiating? OK. Prevention? I suspect 5-10 in soledad would have made him think twice about such behvaiors.

Sorry to be flip, but I ma not arguing with you. I noted this possibility in my post.

[falafel]

rehabilitiating? OK. Prevention? I suspect 5-10 in soledad would have made him think twice about such behvaiors.

Sorry to be flip, but I ma not arguing with you. I noted this possibility in my post.

No worries. And I'm talking about prevention in others. I.e., evidence of what certain behaviors/action/decisions can lead to.

This has been an interesting and informative discussion.