Candice Bergen | 10/05/2009 12:00 am
Candice Bergen: An Alternative Punishment for Roman Polanski
In response to: Should Roman Polanski go to prison?
The Roman thing is complicated as we all know. It brings out the dark, avenging side of America, yet it is a crime. It was absolutely a criminal, indecent, amoral act and should be acknowledged and in some way paid for. But he is a brilliant, gifted artist. He is a father. And he is 75. How much time should he serve? And why is he not allowed to be home in Switzerland under house arrest? With his kids? Why in prison? What should not happen is his being made an example of with a harsh sentence. There should be a resolution that factors in his contributions and his age. Prolonged house arrest?
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Believe me, I know what it is like to be painted in a horrible manner as the victim. My mother told everyone who would listen that I was lying, from the principal of my school, neighbors, employer, friends, family members, etc (the list goes on). Never once did I say "oh forget it". I was 16 at the time and suffered horrible depression from everything that came from the abuse. When my choir teacher reported the incident to the school counselor, I was told by the school counselor that it was my fault.
I feel horrible for the victim in this. Unfortunately, it won’t go away. If she is truly able to forgive him, that is wonderful for her. Forgiveness and paying for his crime have to be two different things. In my case, the abuser went to counselling, apologized to me and then turned around and abused others (he also did more horrific things to the other victims). I think the smartest thing this woman can do is not speak to the media, go back to therapy (this has to of opened up wounds), and move forward. It is hard to stand up for what is right but people have to do it. It really was horrible for me but I do not regret sticking to my guns and not backing down.
People that are blaming the victim need to have their heads examined. People don’t ask for these things to happen to them. It’s like saying that since I was hit by a car while walking on the sidewalk. It is my fault because I was on the sidewalk and not the person who drove on it.
Annie, I agree completely with what you’ve written, and I’m terribly sorry to hear about what happened to you. I’m glad to see that you made it through and have gained wisdom and courage from the experience. Sadly, there is a culture of blaming the victim in this country that absolutely needs to be changed, particularly in regards to children, who are some of the most vulnerable members of society! I hope we will eventually get there, but some of the posts here and elsewhere illustrate just how far we’ve got to go.
Roman Polanski pled guilty to the charge of rape. At the time, he said he knew it was the wrong thing to do. His sentence included financial settlement and some amount of jail time - to be determined. Before he paid anything, and when the outcome looked unfavorable to him - he simply fled the country. All these years, our legal agreements with other countries did not allow us to arrest him for his flight from justice. Now that we can do that, it’s not simply a rape charge any more. That part is done. He deliberately removed himself from the justice system we all live under. That is the system that protects us.
What does it matter that he made film, or shoes, or pencils. We need the law. I am so disappointed in the members of the acting community who have defended him. They must really think that their profession sets them apart from the rules and structure that make a civilization.
Personally, I hope Polanski will be returned to the United States. He should face the same sentence meted out to any other escaped criminal. Then let’s see how artistic he is.
Elinor
Candice’s response to this question is indicative of the Hollywood mindset on this issue. To first and foremost in a dismissive manner condemn his actions with a 13 year old girl and then rave about what a brilliant director and artist he is, as if that cancels out the fact that he is a pedophile.
Mel Gibson is a wonderful actor and director and he is also a racist, anti-Semitic jerk. OJ Simpson was a master at football and entertaining actor but he is also a murderer and thug. The bottom line is if he wasn’t the noted director he is but instead the old guy that lives down the street with abandoned cars in his lawn and it was discovered he drugged and then sodomized a 13 year old, would Hollywood be up in arms defending him? I say a resounding NO!
It is only because he IS one of them and has a creative mind that they are rallying around him in droves, throwing up his age and profession as reasons he should forgo jail time. The sad reality as we learned from Mackenzie Phillips recently is that a lot of Hollywood types engage in these types of activities with children so in their minds it isn’t a big deal. Some on those actresses dismissing this issue may be doing so because they themselves had sex at early ages.
I sincerely doubt such behavior is any more frequent in Holllywood than it is in the rest of the population. The most heinous examples of late - those of prolonged imprisonment and abuse of young girls - certainly weren’t committed by ‘Hollywood types.’
Here’s what I see as a fundamental conflict between the case and today’s comments - he was expected to serve 45 days and pay restitution. If he now paid the restitution with interest, served 45 days, and got probation plus perhaps more restitution owed for flight would that satisfy people? If someone pled to the same behavior today would 45 days be an acceptable term? I think this situation is more indicative of how the US has changed than anything.
I SAY AGAIN, THERE IS NOT SUCH THING AS CONSENSUAL SEX WITH A 13 YEAR OLD. BABY SNOOKS YOU DISGUST ME!.
I am curious, what is your connection RP that you vehemently defend him? are you related, or do you think he should get a light sentence because you have done something equally as vile and wish a light sentence.
hmm I reread this and realized I may be opening up myself to something here since I am brave enough to use my real name and you are not. I apologize for the accusation.
Hey Karen:
"If someone pled to the same behavior today…"
Of course it would not be acceptable today. You’re right people are more aware, more intelligent and worldly today. Very few would condone such behavior in today’s world. Although there is still a "STIGMA" attached to being a victim of rape, it is not as prevalent as it was back then. I also agree this bad behavior is not more frequent in Hollywood, its just that the people who are defending RP are mainly the Hollywood set.