Roman Polanski (and Others) on Trial

Abstract

This article engages with arguments in recent discussions about Polanski’s personal conduct, and the effect of these discussions on the reception of his films. It also uses these debates to shed light on the changing attitudes toward cinema and art at large, pointing to the growing importance of the artists’ personal conduct, especially sexual conduct, in the assessment of their work, including making spotless behaviour a condition to reach the audience. It does so from a position which is critical of censorship. The article draws on Polanski’s biography, especially the part describing his encounter with Samantha Gailer (now Samantha Geimer) and recent journalistic discourse about his conduct and films, following the rise of the #MeToo movement. It is informed by debates about authorship in film and art and the relationship between moral and aesthetic values.