Triumph for Polanski at French film awards
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's The Pianist swept the board at the annual French film awards. The film, which depicts life in the Warsaw ghetto during the Nazi occupation of Poland, won seven Cesars including best film and best director.
Michael Moore won the award for best foreign film with his anti-gun documentary, Bowling for Columbine. He received a standing ovation as he congratulated France for tempering the United States' approach towards Iraq in his acceptance speech, claiming that "there are millions of Americans" who feel the same as him. "Thanks for showing us the way, and for taking up a position on something very important," he said. "A real ally, a real friend, is someone who tells you when you're wrong."
Spike Lee also sent an anti-war message in his acceptance speech for his honorary career Cesar award, thanking the French for "knowing the difference between the American people and American foreign policy". Meryl Streep accepted her own career award Cesar, with a message delivered in French "in the spirit of international understanding".
8 Women, a murder mystery whose stars include Catherine Deneuve, was nominated for 12 Cesars but failed to win any.
Meanwhile, Polanski's co-producer on The Pianist, Lew Rywin, said he hoped bribery allegations against him would not tarnish the film's fame. Mr Rywin is under investigation in Poland over allegations he solicited a bribe from a publisher to lobby the government over media laws. He denies any wrongdoing.
"It is my dream that the media and the critics draw a thick dividing line between the scandal around me and the film," Mr Rywin told the Polish news agency PAP. "I would like the film to enjoy its own, fully merited glory."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments