Famed movie director Roman Polanski has been taken into Swiss custody at the Zurich Film Festival. AP says it is related to 1978 US arrest warrant.
Roman Polanski is an Oscar winning director. He traveled to attend the Zurich Film Festival to accept the award of lifetime achievement. He was detained by police yesterday. Polanski traveled from France to Switzerland.
The famed movie director fled the US in 1978 after pleading guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl.
According to British The Guardian, the Swiss authorities have refused to further comment on Pollanski's detention. However, they confirmed it. The justice ministry spokesperson has told The Guardian that this is a matter of Swiss Justice Ministry.
Polanski's movies have won several Oscars. Those are Rosemary's Baby in 1968, Chinatown in 1974, Tess in 1979 and The Pianist in 2002.
The Zurich Film Festival organizers have postponed the tribute to Roman Polanski Night. They have released the following statement.
Quote of the festival directors - "We cannot judge the judical background of Roman Polanski's arrestment. But we are shocked about what happened and cannot understand this matter that consternates us deeply. With the planned honoring of the artistic work of Roman Polanski tonight we would like to express our solidarity with him as one of the most extraordinary filmmakers of our time.
The events will not have an affect on the regular program of the Zurich Film Festival. All films will be screened as planned."
Press Release, September 27, 2009 - The planned "A Tribute to ..." Award that was to be presented to film maker Roman Polanski tonight has been postponed to an indefinite future date. Roman Polanski, one of the greatest film directors of our time would have received an award for his life's achievement at the Zurich Film Festival. However, he was detained by the police upon his entry at Zurich Airport. His detention is linked to the demand by US-authorities to a warrant for his arrest in 1978.
The festival directors have received this news with great consternation and shock. They have decided that the "A Tribute to ... Roman Polanski" night will take place as planned. There will be a special appraisal of his life's work to give everyone, who would like to express their solidarity as well as their admiration a chance to share this feeling.
Written by Armen Hareyan
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