“You know what happens to diminutive film directors who sleep with 13-year-old girls, don’t you? Huh? Wanna know? No? Okay. They lose their noses get arrested in Switzerland!”
Well, eventually. Roman Polanski pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor 32 years ago, but took off for France before he could be put in jail. He’s been keeping out of the U.S. ever since, though he kept on making movies and visiting various European countries, and it looked like that was going to go on forever until he was nabbed in Zurich last week. They are holding him there, awaiting an extradition request from the U.S.
Now a group of artists and filmmakers, including Woody Allen, Pedro Almodovar, Wes Anderson, Asia Argento, Darren Aronofsky, Harmony Korinne, and Wim Wenders have signed a petition calling for his release. A number of film and cultural organizations have signed on, as well.
Others have been vocal in their support of the 76-year-old Polanski, as well. His teenage victim, now 45, who successfully sued the director, has called for the charges to be dropped.
Not everyone is donning a “Free Roman” button just yet, though.
