Roman Polanski, the controversial filmmaker, is set to face trial in France over allegations of defamation from British actress Charlotte Lewis. Lewis accused Polanski of sexually assaulting her in the 1980s when she was just 16 years old. This comes in the wake of multiple accusations of sexual assault against Polanski, including a notorious rape case involving a 13-year-old girl in 1977.
In 2010, Lewis spoke out about the alleged assault in Paris, where she was for a casting in one of Polanski’s films. She decided to come forward to counter claims that the 1977 case was an isolated incident. Despite Polanski’s denial of all allegations, four other women have since accused him of abuse, three of them as minors.
Polanski has vehemently denied all accusations, citing a 1999 article from The News of the World where Lewis was quoted expressing admiration for him. However, Lewis claims the quotes were inaccurate and filed a defamation complaint, leading to formal charges against Polanski under French law.
Lewis’ lawyer, Benjamin Chouai, highlighted Polanski’s pattern of discrediting and defaming individuals, while Polanski’s attorney argued that the filmmaker has the right to publicly defend himself. Despite the ongoing trial, Polanski is not expected to appear in person.
The 90-year-old filmmaker, known for classics like Chinatown and The Pianist, has remained a fugitive from U.S. justice for over four decades. France’s refusal to extradite its citizens has provided Polanski with a safe haven, despite growing pressure and controversy surrounding his work and personal life.
While Polanski’s latest film, The Palace, premiered at the Venice Film Festival, the director has largely kept a low profile in recent years. His involvement in the César Awards was marred by controversy and backlash from feminist groups, reflecting the ongoing debate over his legacy and actions.
