Roman Polanski's Film Screening Canceled Due to Protests of Sexual Assault in Paris
Film director, Roman Polanski's film screening in Paris Tuesday night was canceled due to approximately 40 protesters blocking the theater's entrance due to sexual assault allegations; toting red smoke canisters and carrying signs bearing the names of women who claim they were sexually assaulted by the Oscar winner blocked the theater’s entrance for about an hour.
His film, "An Officer and a Spy"—an Italian-French film was supposed to be screening at the Le Champo Cinema in Paris. The film’s official premiere was successful across the city at the UGC Normandie cinema on the Champs-Elysées, Variety reported. Polanski, 86, attended that event, alongside his wife Emmanuelle Seigner and actor Jean Dujardin, both of whom star in the film. But then afterward, things got ugly as protesters took their disgruntlement to the streets over Polanski's alleged sexual assault towards his victims.
Related:
Roman Polanski Says Treatment of His Criminal Case In Los Angeles Was a 'Historical and Moral Error'
Roman Polanski Sues to Be Reinstated to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
Roman Polanski Was Extremely Violent in the Rape of a French Woman in 1975
Polanski is now facing new sexual assault allegations against a French woman he raped in 1975 when she was only 18.
The Polish 86-year-old director of "Rosemary's Baby" "Chinatown" and other films is being accused of raping a French woman named Valentine Monnier, 62 gave details of the alleged assault to the French publication, Le Parisien, saying that it occurred after the two finished a ski run, adding the alleged attack was “extremely violent".
Monnier, a former model who worked in New York— said she currently 'doesn't have any ties' to Polanski and hardly knew him.
Roman Polanski Sues To Retain His Right to Retain His Membership In The Academy
Last April, the controversial director filed a lawsuit against the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to retain his right to his membership. The Academy decided to ban him due to sexual assault allegations and now he demands to be reinstated.
He received an unsigned letter back in January of this year that he was denied.
He claims that the Academy failed to comply with their own policies and did not provide any notice to expel the director without notice or opportunity to plead his case.
The French Film Guild Plans To Change Its Rules
The French Film Guild told Deadline in a statement that it plans to change its rules to expel members found guilty of a sexual offense at its next board of directors meeting and who are indicted for the same reason, Deadline reported. Polanski is a current member of the guild.
The French film company Gaumont told Variety that it still plans to release “An Officer And A Spy” in theaters across the country despite the allegations against its director. Several promotional appearances on television have been canceled since Monnier’s rape claims against Polanski were published last week.
