Opening Day: 20 May 2010

Synopsis:

In 1977, Roman Polanski was arrested in Los Angeles on charges he gave
drugs and had sex with a 13-year-old girl he was photographing for Vogue. Eleven
months later, having pled guilty to one count, he fled to Europe before sentencing.
This film examines that year-long period, using archival footage of the media frenzy
and of Polanski's life before the charges, clips from his films, and contemporary
interviews with many of the principles - attorneys, the victim, and Polanski's
friends and associates. Polanski remains enigmatic, but portraits emerge of the
machinations of justice and of a judge more interested in his image than his word or the law.

Movie Review:

It comes as a little surprise that this documentary is getting a release in Singapore considering that it is a 2008 movie and more importantly, there have been newer and more recent developments with regards to the subject of the movie since it was released. The only guess is that it has been released to coincide with the release of The Ghost Writer, Roman Polanski’s latest movie.

The movie is not a documentary about the life and times of Roman Polanski the director but rather, it focuses on the case that has plagued him since 1977. It appears that tragedy and controversy does surround him considering that his late wife, actress Sharon Tate was murdered by the horrendous Manson family after which he got embroiled in the case where he had engaged in sexual intercourse with Samantha Geimer, who at that time was a mere thirteen year old. The act was described as unlawful and eventually led to his fleeing of the United States. This documentary explores the thoughts and feelings of the people involved in the case and more importantly, the truth behind the reason of his fleeing and what has become of the case many years on.

The main player in the documentary is not Polanski himself (who never gets featured at all). Rather, much of it revolves around two lawyers, his and Geimer’s and the central figure in the case, Judge Laurence J. Rittenband. Here, much is discovered about his treatment of the Polanski case and how he obviously tried to manipulate to case to fuel his desire to be the centre of attention, capitalizing of the fact that Polanski is a celebrity director. The thirteen year old girl, all grown up and married with children herself makes an appearance and shares her two cents worth about the matter too.

This documentary could have been made to change public perception about Roman Polanski as a person and to probably put him back in a more positive light. Despite all the controversy, Polanski has continued to have an illustrious career in during his thirty year exile from the United States. He has also gone on to win and bestowed upon with numerous awards of the highest distinction. However, the past does have a way of catching up with one and though it was not explored in this movie, Polanski was recently arrested in Switzerland in late 2009 and placed under house arrest. Director Marina Zenovich has pieced together a compelling documentary that will hopefully allow more people to learn more about Roman Polanski’s case.

Movie Rating:



(A great look at the the American judicial system and celebrity influence back in the 1970s)

Review by Mohamad Shaifulbahri