A woman has filed a lawsuit accusing director Roman Polanski of raping her when she was under 18, leading to a scheduled civil trial in the US
Renowned filmmaker Roman Polanski is confronting a civil trial in the United States after a lawsuit was filed against him by a woman, who accuses him of raping her at his residence in 1973 when she was a minor. The allegations were disclosed during a press conference led by prominent attorney Gloria Allred, with the accuser referred to as Jane Doe to protect her identity.
Jane Doe, whose name was withheld for privacy reasons, expressed her long deliberation before deciding to pursue legal action against Polanski, aiming for justice and accountability. Polanski, now aged 90, has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that the lawsuit is in violation of constitutional rights.
This legal challenge emerges amidst Polanski’s ongoing unresolved criminal sexual assault case in Los Angeles, stemming from a guilty plea to unlawful sexual intercourse in 1978, followed by his flight from the United States before the sentencing.
The civil lawsuit details the claimant’s account of events leading up to the alleged assault, including being served alcohol by Polanski, which left her incapacitated. Despite her objections and pleas, she accuses Polanski of proceeding to rape her, causing significant physical and emotional distress.
Polanski’s defense attorney, Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, has dismissed the allegations and emphasized the importance of addressing the case within the legal system. Filed under a California law that temporarily lifted the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse claims, the lawsuit could not initially name Polanski due to legislative restrictions. However, a judge has recently permitted his identification in the case, scheduling the trial for 2025.
Polanski, a key figure in the New Hollywood era with films like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Chinatown,” has faced a long battle with the law and public opinion following his criminal case. Despite winning an Oscar for “The Pianist” in 2003, his expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 2018 amid the #MeToo movement underscored the industry’s changing stance towards allegations of sexual misconduct.
As the civil trial approaches, the case adds another chapter to the complex and controversial narrative surrounding Roman Polanski, highlighting the enduring impact of historical allegations of sexual abuse in the entertainment industry.
