Dear Roman Polanski,
Please come home.
We miss you. So what if you're going to get arrested and prosecuted for the statutory rape that you committed 32 years ago?
You loved too much. No one can contest that.
But, sir, own up to it.
You made some amazing movies. "Chinatown" (1974) is considered one of the best films of the 20th century. "Rosemary's Baby" (1968) set the standard for horror films made since the 1960s. We need your filmmaking. You are an artist and as such we will give you some special allowances. You can be eccentric. You can be erratic. You can dress funny and eat funny and say funny things. Regardless of everything, however, sex with younger people — and, oh, how much younger she was — is not ok.
There is nothing artistic about statutory rape. There is no art in, well, forcing it.
Let's be honest, Mr. Polanski, if you made a movie about a 44-year-old man forcing a 13-year-old child model to have sex people would go see it. They would praise your filmmaking and they would discuss the implications of its social commentary, but never, ever would people say that portrays a fun activity that people should imitate.
You did something dirty. Go to jail for a bit. Serve your time. But man up to it.
We'll all still love you, Roman.
Love,
The Daily Arts Department
