The Oscar's is soon approaching and while this year's 55th Academy Awards will take extra precaution due to a silly incident, let’s not forget how the hypocrites from the American Academy of Motion pictures and science, awarded Director "Raping" Roman Polanski for 2004's The Pianist as best picture.
As of recent, one of Polanski's biggest fans, Harvey Weinstein has received an additional 16 year sentence for rape and sexual assault but prior to his scandalous trial, which more than 80 women made allegations of sexual harassment and/or rape against the infamous producer. But prior to these allegations, leading to his sentencing, Weinstein formed a petition for the release of notorious Polish filmmaker Roman Polanski who drugged, raped and sodomized a 13-year-old girl, as a result became a fugitive from the U.S. criminal justice system, since 1978, after pledging guilty for his heinous crime.
When Polanski was arrested in Zurich, Switzerland, in correlation to his U.S. arrest warrant, there were plenty of famous filmmakers, actors and artists who signed the controversial petition.
“We demand the immediate release of Roman Polanski,”
“Filmmakers in France, in Europe, in the United States and around the world are dismayed by this decision… It seems inadmissible to them that an international cultural event, paying homage to one of the greatest contemporary filmmakers, is used by police to apprehend him."
-Harvey Weinstein
The list is extremely long with a who's who of iconic filmmakers and celebrities, which some are, or rather, were my favorites. But I'm going to narrow the list down to the most famous, of those who stood by Polanski regardless of his deviant act.
And most, mind you, are so called "progressives!" So yeah, I'm shocked and somewhat disappointed, but it’s my responsibility to let everyone know who they are supporting when patronizing their film or television projects:
Woody Allen:
No surprise there. Allen has been accused of molesting his at the time, 7-year-old daughter Dylan which the claims was based on Mia Farrow's statements as well as their son Ronan Farrow who witnessed the assault. Farrow interviewed whistleblowers, victims, private investigators, and other sources for his book Catch and Kill in regard to the Harvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases.
Martin Scorsese:
The man who gave us Taxi Driver, The Departed, and of course, Goodfellas, is one of the few more established directors who supported Polanski's release. For a guy who bitched about Marvel films becoming the new mainstream, he should do a bit of self-evaluation and just keep his mouth shut.
David Lynch (Twin Peaks)
Monica Bellucci
Bellucci had a good run during the aughts and once a very beautiful actress, who I fancast her as the Baroness had a G.I. Joe movie came to fruition back then. On one hand, I'm shocked that a woman would cosign on this but on the other, she's probably Eurotrash.
Adrien Brody:
Again, no surprise as the Pianist actor forced himself on actress Halle Barry during his Oscar win. Why is this pos still making films and television shows? Fucking Hollywood, that's why!
Alexander Payne
Michael Mann:
The creative genius behind Heat and Miami Vice signed this list? Ah, hell naw! Even Michael Bay wouldn't go there!
Tilda Swinton
Alfonso Cuarón:
The Director of two solid cult films, Children of Men and Gravity put his pen to paper to support a child rapist who has not received the punishment well deserved, other than banishment.
His career stalled after the overrated Netflix coming of age drama, Roma.
Guillermo del Toro:
This one, kind of stings, as I'm a fan of Blade 2, Hellboy and Pacific Rim, not so much. Another Mexican director who cosigned on this petition. Damn, and I liked his version of Pinocchio too.
Jonathan Demme:
I met Demme in person and congratulated him for Silence of the Lamb's success. He was very appreciative and was a nice guy."Was" as in he died some time ago.
Harrison Ford (Star Wars, Indiana Jones, and so many other films.)
Terry Gilliam (Brazil, Monthy Python Flying Circus and Time Bandits.)
Taylor Hackford (Officer and a Gentlemen)
Jeremy Irons (Dead Ringers, Die Hard with a Vengeance)
Neil Jordan (The Crying Game, Interview with a Vampire)
John Landis (The Twilight Zone, American Werewolf in London)
Sam Mendes:
The joke is on me after giving Empire of Light high praise, this Skyfall director has a few quality films within his CV, but he won't be missed if he decides to retire from Filmmaking.
Natalie Portman:
I always thought she was a bit out there, especially when she says problematic things like, "I'm not black, but I know what it feels like." Yes, she has appeared in a few movies I like, and yes she has the courage of conviction to call out Israel racist policies, but I don't get how contradictory she had become when signing this petition as she would strike me as a feminist. But what the hell do I know?
Brett Ratner:
Not only is this guy responsible for the horrible Rush Hour 3, but he also ruined the third chapter of Fox's X-Men franchise with the lackluster X-Men 3. Rat shit Ratner went as far as to have Roman Polanski appear as a Interpol Police officer via cameo. Oh, the irony! Maybe he should've arrested himself.
Emma Thompson:
Emma admitted she signed the petition but asked for her name to be removed. And just when I gave her flowers for her racy performance in Good Luck to You Leo Grande.
Harvey Weinstein:
The king snake himself who was responsible for this highly controversial petition. And as a fellow rapist, Weinstein can easily feel empathy for Pedoski. "Birds of a Feather?" Unfortunately, Polanski has yet to be brought to justice but in the meantime, I guess we'll have to settle for Weinstein's life sentence and by that definition, there’s no fucking way, he'll live to serve out his entire sentence. Justice is served!
While there are many that claim, you can separate the art from the artist, I would counter with "that depends on the severity of the offense." I sure as hell would overlook any recent project by Mel Gibson, who wished his ex would get raped by a "pack of niggers" but he can easily be forgiven compared to what Polanski has done. Again, this states the blatant hypocrisy of Hollywood and the Academy. So, whenever you invest your dollars in a film, just be vigilant on where or rather who, your money goes to. As of now, Polanski is still living in exile in France, since the statute of limitations have expired.
https://www.altfg.com/film/petition-for-roman-polanski-signatories/
https://www.indiewire.com/2009/09/over-100-in-film-community-sign-polanski-petition-55821/
https://ohnotheydidnt.livejournal.com/39618660.html