The Screw Tightens on Roman Polanski
Graphic by Angelie Zaslavsky
NEWS ITEM: Famed filmmaker Roman Polanski pleaded guilty, 31 years ago, to unlawful sex with a 13-year-old girl. He then fled the country to avoid punishment. Today, at the age of 76, he is being detained by Swiss authorities, at the request of U.S. officials seeking his extradition.
Polanski has a roamin’ eye,
(Or is it “Roman”?) What a guy!
The lass involved was never mugged
(He claims) — but just a little drugged.
The now-forbidden drug, Quaalude,
Eased Roman’s path to actions lewd.
He fled abroad his life to live,
From U.S. law a fugitive.
Arrested now in Switzerland,
He faces stringent reprimand.
Today he voices deep lament,
Resisting delayed punishment.
There looms an ugly legal fight
As U.S. seeks to extradite.
His lawyers fume and rail and shout
He didn’t mean the law to flout.
He’s made some classic movies since:
Atonement for his erstwhile sins?
In Hollywood his friends suggest
The matter should be laid to rest.
Will Roman’s case, then, be dismissed?
Will he get slapped upon the wrist?
Perhaps his punishment should start
With quite another body part.
This is a moment of great uncertainty. Here’s what you can do about it.
We hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, we’d like to ask you to please support the Forward’s independent Jewish news this Passover. All donations are being matched by the Forward Board - up to $100,000.
This is a moment of great uncertainty for the news media, for the Jewish people, and for our sacred democracy. It is a time of confusion and declining trust in public institutions. An era in which we need humans to report facts, conduct investigations that hold power to account, tell stories that matter and share honest discourse on all that divides us.
With no paywall or subscriptions, the Forward is entirely supported by readers like you. Every dollar you give this Passover is invested in the future of the Forward — and telling the American Jewish story fully and fairly.
The Forward doesn’t rely on funding from institutions like governments or your local Jewish federation. There are thousands of readers like you who give us $18 or $36 or $100 each month or year.
Support our mission to tell the Jewish story fully and fairly.
