A 2008 Sundance Film Festival Award winner for Documentary Film Editing, “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired” debuts Monday, June 9 (9:00-10:45 PM ET/PT), exclusively on HBO, kicking off the HBO Documentary Films summer series. wOw sat down with director and producer Marina Zenovich to talk about the first film in this summer documentary series.

1.Why did you decide to make this film, 30 years after Roman Polanski’s departure from the United States?

In 2003 there was an article in the Los Angeles Times that talked about the case and if Polanski were to be nominated for "The Pianist" would he be able to come back if he were to win the Academy Award. This piqued my interest. After he was nominated, the girl in the case and her lawyer went on "The Larry King Show." The lawyer said something to the effect of, "The day Roman Polanski fled was a sad day for the American judicial system." I wanted to find out what he meant.

2. In the making of this film, what surprised you the most?

How at a certain point Polanski had a lot of hope in his life. No one ever focuses on this. After he made "Rosemary’s Baby," he was the hot director in town. He was in love with Sharon Tate. They were traveling all over the world; they were going to have a baby. It was a very special time. But I was especially surprised at how complex the case really was and how it elicited such strong opinions 30 years later.

3. What were you hoping to achieve with this film?

This story has become encrusted in a kind of Hollywood tabloid mythology. And the same story — whether factually right or wrong — has been getting written about for the past 30 years. It was very important to me to get to the truth.

I also wanted to discover for myself what made Polanski flee. It was only through interviewing people that I realized that there was a whole part of the story that people just don’t know and don’t want to hear about because of the nature of the crime. Most people think they know the story and they just don’t.

4. What was the implication of changing his charge from statutory rape to unlawful sexual conduct with a minor?

He was charged with six counts. They are listed at the beginning of the film so the audience has all the facts as they go through the journey of this story. Polanski’s charge wasn’t changed. Because of the plea bargain he only pled guilty to one charge — unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor.

5. Does anyone find it ironic that Mia Farrow, who divorced and battled Woody Allen over what she termed “sexual abuse” of their children, is seen on this documentary seeming to absolve Roman Polanski because he is so talented and attractive?

To be honest the thought never crossed my mind. She adores Roman Polanski and has been a friend to him for many years and, in fact, testified on his behalf in his lawsuit with Condé Nast. I found all of Roman’s friends extremely loyal and protective of him because of the media scrutiny he has endured through the years.

6. Do you feel Polanski should have accepted the last offer of a televised trial in order to be cleared in the United States? It seems a small price to pay. Yes, there’d be a brief media circus, but then he could return to the United States without fear. It would be over.

The title of the film says it all to me — he really is desired in France, in Europe and literally wanted in America. In Europe, Polanski is revered. I think if that is your reality it would be quite difficult to endure the 24-hour nonstop media circus that something like his returning would create. That was also in 1997 and his children were younger. I think once you have a family you are not just thinking for yourself but about how something like this would affect them.