Roman Polanski says activists threatening him 'with a public lynching' after awards nomination backlash
The director is still wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl
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.Roman Polanski, the film director and fugitive who is wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl, has said that “activists are threatening me with a public lynching.”
The comments arrive after his latest film, An Officer and a Spy, was controversially nominated for 12 César Awards (often called the “French Oscars”).
Posters and graffiti denouncing the director were plastered over the theatre where the César ceremony will take place.
The Macbeth director plead guilty to “unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor” in 1977 but fled the US to avoid sentencing. In November 2019, an actress named Valentine Monnier accused Polanski of raping her in 1975, when she was 18 years old. Polanski has "absolutely denied" the allegations.
“Fantasies of sick minds are now treated as established facts”, he said, in a statement made to AFP announcing he would not be attending the ceremony.
French actor Adèle Haenel (Portrait of a Lady on Fire) had criticised the César Awards body for honouring Polanski.
“Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims,” said Haenel. “It means raping women isn’t that bad.”
“What place can there be in such deplorable conditions for a film about the defence of truth, the fight for justice, blind hate and anti-Semitism?” Polanski asked, referring to An Officer and a Spy. His 22nd feature film, about the Dreyfus affair, has been a surprise box office hit in France.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments