On Monday, French Feminists lined up outside the film institute La Cinematheque Francaise in protest of a retrospective on the life and works of Polish-born film director Roman Polanski.
Nearly 100 protesters booed as Polanski arrived, and held up signs condemning his history of sexually assaulting young girls, according to USA Today. Members from Osez le feminisme!, translated as Dare Feminism!, were in attendance, carrying signs that read “If rape is an art form, give Polanski all the Cesars,” or detailed his history of crimes against women.
Two women from FEMEN, an international women’s organization, went topless during the protest.
One painted “No honor for rapists” on her body, while another wrote “VIP - Very Important Pedocriminal." Both women were ejected from the premises, according to The Guardian. FEMEN is known for its topless protests.
The institution said the purpose of the retrospective was not to memorialize Polanski, but it declined to cancel the event in the wake of international protests and anger directed at film producer Harvey Weinstein. Culture minister Françoise Nyssen said “It’s about a Body Of Work, not about a man. It’s not for me to condemn a body of work,” according to The Guardian.
Escape from justice
More than 27,000 people have signed a petition calling on the institution to cancel the event, which will continue through the month of November, according to fmovies.
In 1977, Polanski, now 84, pled guilty to statutory rape with a 13-year-old girl in California. He fled the country afterwards, and since then has never returned to the United States. A recent attempt to dismiss the case in court was rejected.
Further allegations
Last week, a California woman accused Polanski of assaulting her in 1975 when she was 10 years old, according to The Guardian.
Marianne Barnard said Polanski molested her during a photoshoot on a beach. Earlier this month, a Swiss woman said Polanski assaulted her in 1972 in the Swiss Alps when she was 15 years old. However, no legal action is being taken by the women and Polanski has not been charged with the crimes.
In February of this year, Polanski was forced to step down from his role as chair of the César awards after widespread protests erupted in France. Multiple French actresses have also accused the director of assaulting or harassing them, including Eva Green and Juliette Binoche, according to People.
