Tonight I watched the engrossing film Roman Polanski:Wanted and Desired. It's a documentary I suggest everyone go out and rent if they get a chance. Watching how the worlds of stardom, charisma, child exploitation, and the law cross paths is eye opening. It is probably one of the most telling explorations on how celebrities who commit crimes often become more fascinating and glamorous in society.
For those who do not know, Roman Polanski is the Oscar Award winning director, writer, actor, and producer of films such as Rosemary's Baby (starring Mia Farrow) and one of my favorite films of all time China Town (starring Jack Nicholson). He is also known for the harrowing lost of his stunning wife, actress Sharon Tate. She was murdered (along with her friends) by members of the Manson Family murder in 1969, while she was pregnant with their child. In 1977 he was charged and plead guilty to "unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor." He was 44 at the time and the minor was a 13 year-old aspiring actress, whose mother left her alone with Polanski. Polanski gave her alcohol, pills, and had sex with her (including sodomy). After a year of political and lawful game playing Polanski fled the United States, while still facing charges, and has never returned. He lives in France and to this day he is still famous, respected, and active in film making (He won another Oscar a few years ago for his film The Pianist).
As a film major who begins grad school in a few weeks, and a fan of some of his work, I found it interesting to see if I was more likely to excuse his behavior because of this. I realized I am not but unfortunately I do not believe I was as outraged as I am 99% of the time. It made me question if we are more likely to excuse celebs who exploit children when we are a fan of their work?
The list goes on and on, past and present of men who have been with children. Some of those who faced accusations have been the late Michael Jackson, R. Kelly, (Neither plead guilty and were never found guilty). Then there have been those who never faced charges but had questionable relationships, Woody Allen, and Jerry Lee Lewis.
While watching the Wanted and DesiredI found it interesting to note how casual many discussed the details of this event (maybe because it happened so many years ago). There seem to be a lot of focus on the antics of the judge and in many cases one witnessed both refreshing blunt honesty and the relaxed boys club at work. One man states that the rumour around the DA's office was that the young handsome prosecutor was picked because, "He was a Mormon and was the only one in the DA's office who hadn't had sex with an underage girl." But I did notice that when the prosecutor mentions the discovery of the "Little Girl's Panties" his voice does go up a bit and he still seems uncomfortable.
Due to the European media presence during the case, the young girl's identity was instantly spread all over the media and she was quickly made out to be a promiscuous predator, who had had sexual activity before Polanski, even that same day. Apparently she had drank and taken pills before and was very familiar and comfortable with being with him sexually. One woman in the documentary asks "Why did the mother bring her 13 year-old daughter into this group...this was a guy who had a pretty wild reputation...he loved young women?" It's okay to love younger women, but isn't younger 21, 22, when you are a 44 year-old man. The question should be why did he feel it was okay to do this to a young girl? How young does a girl or boy have to be before we stop pointing fingers and say it's just not okay?
This reminded me of the fairly recent, dragged out, case of singer songwriter R. Kelly, who was accused of performing sex acts on video tape with a young girl who he had known since she was a child. His high priced legal team (after many years and delays) successfully help him beat the charges. I remember reading comments from people who saw the tape on-line (on various websites) and many of them blamed the girl and her parents. Many said the same thing, "How does a 13 (or 14) year-old know this." The question was usually a thinly veiled guise that alluded to the belief that she was obviously a "bad girl." And these "bad girls" seek out and prey on naive impulsive older men apparently. My question is also "How does a 13 year-old know this?" But what I'm really asking is "Who taught her this? Did someone abuse her at such a young age that at 13, 14 she is "Familiar and comfortable" with performing these acts, even with a man old enough to be her father? Who is not protecting her? Who is not behaving like an adult and staying away from her even if she jumps around naked in front of him?
Polanski, though artistically brilliant and clearly charismatic, never quite seemed to think or admit that having sex with young girls was wrong. Some of the people involved in the case seem to believe that Polanski, who is Polish, felt that this was an American concern rather than an inappropriate act for an adult to be taking part in. When asked if he did not feel it was inappropriate to be visiting girls at finishing schools and whether this behaviour was a result of his grief he explained that we all think differently and see relationships differently and yes, when coping with grief, "Some go to a monastery. Some start visiting whore house."
Ironically, some of his friends criticized (rightfully so) the media for blaming Polanski and his dark films for the death of his beloved wife. A friend refers to this as the media's way of making the victims responsible for their own deaths. Yet in the film there seems to be this undertone (here and there) that this child (or her parents) were responsible for her own rape. The parents may have (knowingly or unknowingly) put her in danger but Polanski made the choice.
I find it fascinating that I for one could not be seduced by a thirteen year-old boy, no matter how cute and persistent he was. I see them as 3 steps out of the diaper-baby phase. But in society we have allowed men to sexualize girls from a very early age and view them as fair game. It is all part of this broad plethora of power men have overtly and covertly been given (and excused for). I know there are women who exploit young boys and even young girls. We have seen enough cases involving female teachers but for the most part I don't' think women are trained to see young boys as potential sexual partners and I am glad that is the case.
At the end of the day I find it a very difficult thing to decide on the line between appreciating someones art while not supporting their personal life decisions. After the R. Kelly drama I have never listened to or bought his music again, not one song of his is on my ipod and never will be. But I still love Michael Jackson, maybe its because there was never any proof regarding the accusations yet in the mind of many, like myself, it was R. Kelly on that tape, degrading a child, though he has steadfastly denied it. In the case of Polanski I still appreciate and enjoy his work as a filmmaker but I can't help but think in the end of the day that, in and of itself, supporting his work may be excusing the crime. Things to think about?
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