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2 articles from 2008

19 May 2008 12:20 PM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

Director Roman Polanski's underage sex assault victim Samantha Geimer will never become a fan of the award-winning star's films - because they're simply not her "thing".

French-born Polanski was convicted of the statutory rape of the then 13-year-old Geimer in 1978, but fled to Paris before he could be sentenced for the crime.

Earlier this month, Geimer - now a 45-year-old mother of two - insisted she's "so over" the incident.

But she admits she doesn't see herself becoming a fan of the filmmaker's work.

She says, "Not for any reason except that I haven't (seen them). They're just not really my thing. I'm more of a comedy-action girl. We're going to see Iron Man this week."

Polanski won an Oscar for Best Director for 2002 smash The Pianist - a film which also garnered critical acclaim at the Cannes International Film Festival, landing him the prestigious Palme D'or prize.

Polanski has not returned to the U.S. since 1978 and is considered by American authorities to be a fugitive from justice.

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5 May 2008 7:02 AM, PDT | From wenn.com | See recent WENN news

A new documentary about Roman Polanski re-examines the rape charges the filmmaker pleaded guilty to 30 years ago.

The Oscar winner admitted the statutory rape of 13 year old Samantha Geimer in 1978, but fled to Paris before he could be sentenced.

Polanski, 74, has avoided prison by remaining in the French capital ever since, where he has been granted citizenship.

Director Marina Zenovich has spent five years tracing every aspect of the case for Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, which she hopes will shed new light on Polanski's crime.

The film is due to be screened in New York on Monday (5May08), and televised in the U.S. next month.

She says, "In 2003, talk of his winning an Oscar (for The Pianist) and whether he'd risk coming to accept it started me thinking about this case because nobody knew exactly what happened.

"Fearing sensationalism, nobody would talk to me. It took five years. Eventually those involved realised I had good intentions and just wanted to tell the story.

"I met the girl's lawyer and then Samantha Geimer, the girl herself. Why she consented, I don't know. Even her mother talked to me. Now blonde, clear-eyed, 45, with three kids, Samantha lives in Hawaii and she basically has forgiven (Polanski).".

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2 articles from 2008