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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.
Harvey Weinstein trial – in photosShow all 50 1 /50Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos On January 6 the trial process began in New York. Harvey Weinstein arrived using a walking aid, looking frail
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Actresses Rose McGowan, Rosanna Arquette and other women protested outside court after he arrived
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Jury selection was completed on 21 January and the rape and sexual assualt trial began in earnest the next day
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Louis R Aidala attends the trial
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Harvey Weinstein arrives to court with the support of the members of his defense team
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Harvey Weinstein looks on as she is questioned by prosecutor Joan Illuzzi-Orbon on the stand
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Assistant District Attorneys Meghan Hast, left, and Joan Illuzzi leave the Harvey Weinstein rape trial during the lunch break
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Actress Ellen Barkin arrives after a lunch break to watch the case of film producer Harvey Weinstein
Actress Ellen Barkin arrives after a lunch break to watch the case of film producer Harvey Weinstein
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Kara Young exits after testifying
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Rosie Perez exits after testifying
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Harvey Weinstein smiles as he arrives for his trial
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Lincoln Davies, a former boyfriend of accuser Dawn Dunning, leaves court after testifying
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Weinstein looks into the camera as he leaves court on 29 January
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Witness Monika Mikkelsen testifies
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Harvey Weinstein trial – in photos Photos are passed around to the jury
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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.
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