Roman Polanski Cancels Planned Polish Appearance

Oscar-winning director Roman Polanski has cancelled his planned visit to the 36th Polish Film Festival in Gdynia next month, where he was slated to receive a lifetime achievement award and give a director’s master class. On their website, the Festival gave no reason for Polanski’s change of heart, although local commentators have speculated the 76-year-old director may have been afraid crowds would protest his visit or that, as with a visit to the Zurich Film Festival two years ago, he would be arrested and face possible extradition to the United States. Polanski still faces court proceedings linked to a 1977 case in which he is accused of sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl. Several right-wing politicians in Poland have spoken out against his visit, saying Polanski is still a wanted man in the U.S. Though Polanski, a Polish-native, could theoretically travel safely to Poland, the director has been especially cautious after his release from Swiss incarceration last year and has stayed in France, his adopted home.

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