Quentin Tarantino apologises to Roman Polanski sexual assault victim about comments on Howard Stern
He's finally addressing it
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Quentin Tarantino has issued an apology to the sexual assault victim of Roman Polanski after a 2003 interview with Howard Stern resurfaced where he defends the disgraced director.
After a New York Times piece on Uma Thurman's experience of a near-fatal car crash while working with Tarantino, the Kill Bill director was already being talked about by everyone.
But just a few days later, a 2003 audio recording of Tarantino on Howard Stern's show defending Polanski's sexual assault of a 13-year-old surfaced and the pitchforks came out.
“I don’t believe it’s rape, not at 13, not for these 13-year-old party girls," he claimed in the interview.
In 1977, Polanski was charged with unlawful sex with a minor.
One year later, he fled the US for France to avoid imprisonment or deportation.
On Wednesday Geimer spoke out about her encounter with Polanski from more than 40 years ago saying it was sexual assault.
Later that day, Tarantino called Geimer to apologise.
He gave his official statement of apology to Indiewire: "I want to publicly apologise to Samantha Geimer for my cavalier remarks on The Howard Stern Show speculating about her and the crime that was committed against her. Fifteen years later, I realise how wrong I was. MsGeimer WAS raped by Roman Polanski. When Howard brought up Polanski, I incorrectly played devil’s advocate in the debate for the sake of being provocative. I didn’t take MsGeimer’s feelings into consideration and for that I am truly sorry. So, Ms Geimer, I was ignorant, and insensitive, and above all, incorrect. I am sorry Samantha."
Tarantino seems to be on the circuit for making amends: he helped Thurman get back footage from 15 years ago of her crashing into a palm tree while driving during the filming of Kill Bill.
It remains to be seen whether or not the public will accept Tarantino's remorse.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments