Swiss-made documentary makes comments public after 2009 private apology
Polish-born film director Roman Polanski has publicly apologized for the first time over an incident in 1977 in which he sexually assaulted a 13-year-old girl. Speaking in a Swiss-made documentary about his life, Polanski expresses regret for past actions and apologizes for the “mistakes” he has made, including the sexual attack of Samantha Geimer, now 47. Polanski says Geimer became a “double victim” as a result of the attack: a victim of his actions and a victim of subsequent irrepressible media attention. Geimer, now a married mother of three, accepted a private apology from the film director in 2009. Polanski was charged with rape and sodomy for the incident, wherein the director reportedly gave the 13-year champagne and drugs at an L.A. photoshoot. Polanski pleaded guilty to the lesser charge of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, before fleeing the U.S. for France.