Far bet it from me to agree with anyone that might agree with Roman Polanski’s denial of any rape charges, but the whole idea of Valentine Monnier not bringing up the charge any earlier, much as what’s been seen with the Weinstein scandal, has grown frustrating to the point of not wanting to care. That sounds horrible, doesn’t it? The rape of anyone isn’t something to play idly with or use as a means to say ‘well, you had all this time to come forward and you didn’t do it’. But the stark truth is that the only reason that Roman Polanski isn’t currently sitting behind bars or has to at least contend with a rape charge and all that comes with it is because someone didn’t speak up sooner. It’s not blaming the victim, it’s not stating that they were at fault in any way, it’s an unfortunate fact that Polanski fled the US to avoid persecution rather than try to clear his name, but it’s also a fact that his victims should have spoke up and nailed him to the wall. Had this happened then we wouldn’t be wondering why he’s not in jail and Meryl Streep’s approval of Polanksi as documented by Dan Evon of Snopes.
In fact it’s safe to say that Polanski should have never won another award or even been mentioned in Hollywood since following the MeToo movement the lives and reputations of many male actors have been attacked in a manner that might be fitting for some but has actually lashed out blindly when it comes to others. The fact that Polanski’s name was barely, if ever, mentioned during such a movement is hard to imagine since innocent individuals don’t usually tend to run like scalded dogs when faced with a charge of rape. It would be far too easy to call Polanski every possible foul name in the book and make up a few along the way, but it wouldn’t be satisfying enough since nothing would come of it. Instead it would be great to see him actually stand up and face the music and put to rest once and for all the matter of whether he or his accusers have been telling the truth for so long. The 86-year old has been living quite comfortably abroad while still being allowed to participate in show business no matter that Harvey Weinstein and several others have, in many cases rightfully, been called out for their ill behavior. Why is that Polanski seems to get a pass? Ryan Scott of MovieWeb remains pretty even when discussing the matter, but it still begs a lot of questions as to Polanski’s behavior and why anyone would bother coming forth at this time.
Unfortunately it does continue the idea that Hollywood looks out for its own no matter what, meaning that it’s a club where secrets are going to be allowed, where shady acts are going to be hidden away and left unspoken until it becomes advantageous for those that are doing the accusing or those that are closest to the accused. As out of control as it’s become one can’t help but think that opportunity has been knocking for a great number of people as the timing is quite fortuitous for some and offers others a chance to either break ties with those that might drag them down or get what they can while kicking certain individuals while they’re down. Polanski is just one among the many, but his name tends to come up since he was one of the most cowardly when it came to sticking around and taking his lumps, no matter if he was guilty or innocent, and made his way to another country entirely. At this point it would be kind of useless to see him put in prison, even if such a thing could happen, since it’s likely that his connections and influence would see him put on house arrest at best, which would be an insult to rape victims everywhere. Plus, even if a miracle did occur and he was sent to prison for an act that’s decades old now, he’s in his late 80s, there isn’t a lot of time left to him it would seem, at least not enough that he might suffer all that much should he end up passing on behind bars.
It’s a lot more likely that Polanski will go to his grave without ever seeing punishment or giving his side of the story since he took the easy way out and ran instead of facing the issue at hand. Anyone willing to state that he ran because he didn’t want to deal with the issue needs to adjust their moral compass a bit, since those that know they’re not guilty don’t run unless their accusers and those that stand with them are ready to tear the accused apart, literally. Face it, Polanski ran because had something to feel guilty for.
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