quote:Originally posted by THE Franta: I care that "respected" actors are proud to be seen with him, honor him and work with him....while at the same time would spit at Bush.
Harrison Ford is Roman Polanski's friend. I doubt he thinks what Polanski did was right. As Kristo said, the girl has said that Roman should be forgiven, and that she doesn't blame or hold anything against him. As you said, often pedophiles are victims themselves. In 1969, Polanski's wife, Sharon Tate, was brutally murdered by the Manson gang. You've never experienced something like that, and I hope you never do, but I can imagine something like that isn't easy to get over.
Does this make Polanski a great guy? No. Does it make him right in what he did? No. However, it also doesn't make him an evil person. He didn't kill or maim anybody, the victim has forgiven him and it's been 30 years. Again, I'm not saying this makes it right, but I don't think it's fair to say that the guy is a horrible human being and that everyone should refuse to come in contact with him or work with him in any capacity.
As for Bush, I find it very strange that you automatically assume that celebrities like Kobe Bryant are guilty of whatever crimes they are accused of(and some that are simply implied or insinuated)....yet you have no doubt that George Bush is completely innocent in his actions. Where's the consistency there?
quote:Originally posted by thedoctor: Considering that the Academy Awards has always, and I do mean always, been more of a popularity contest than an actual reward for artistic merit, this award shows that people in Hollywood like Polanski the person despite his admited crime and fleeing from sentencing.
In 1962, George C. Scott refused to even be nominated for an Academy award, stating that he was in no competition with anyone, and that he thought the entire thing was a joke. He was nominated anyway, for the Hustler, and twice more before he died('71 and '72). In 1971 he won, for Patton, and refused to accept his Oscar.
Marlon Brando refused to accept his Oscar in 1973 for the Godfather, and made a mockery of the entire ceremony by sending an actress pretending to be a Native American women to accept his award and then blast the Academy Awards for not nominating more Native Americans. He was nominated twice again after that.
Stanley Kubrick repeatedly said he didn't give a shit about the Academy Awards, and was nominated more than a dozen times.
Michael Moore won last year, despite being an incredible ass, and was promptly booed off the stage when he demonstrated why.
quote:Originally posted by Rob Kamphausen: did everyone else who worked on the movie get a trophy? did any one else?
Yes, Ronald Harwood and Adrien Brody. Some received various other awards, as well.
Polanski received an Oscar because the Pianist is an extraordinary film, and he did a fantastic job directing it. He did not receive the award because the Academy thinks he's a moral person. This is art, not politics.
I've seen the artwork of Samuel Gaedy, a serial killer who passed his time in an insane asylum by painting, and I find it quite fascinating, in a dark and disturbing way. That's an extreme comparison, but that seems to be a theme here so I guess it's ok.
quote:to most, the act doesnt have to be text book to be referred to as criminal.
Some people feel the same way about homosexuality. Regardless, they're happy, and he broke no law.
I don't defend their actions, Rob, despite what you may think. I only put things in what I feel to be the correct proportion when they are bloated by outrageous claims(such as comparing Roman Polanski and Woody Allen to Lex Luthor). If playing "the devil's advocate" and taking an unpopular side in an argument(or most arguments) is required in doing that, fair enough.
Besides, this would be a pretty boring(and ignorant) message board if everyone always accepted what Franta said as truth.
I'm coming to the conclusion that you're a communist.
