Special Screening: “Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired” by Marina Zenovich
Winner of the Documentary Editing Award at the 2008 Sundance Festival, Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired was featured today in a Special Screening in the Salle du Soixantième. Produced and directed by Marina Zenovich, it is a fascinating investigation of the public scandal and private tragedy which drove the famous director to flee the United States, after his 1977 indictment for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, 13-year-old Samantha Geimer (then known as Samantha Gailey). The documentary re-opens a complex case, still the subject of controversy after thirty years, and weakens the many myths surrounding the matter, while explaining the circumstances which led to Polanski’s indictment and the ensuing media hullabaloo.
Representing the film at this special screening were producer Harvey Weinstein, executive producer Randy Wooten, producer Lila Yacoub, cinematographer Tanja Koop who all accompanied director/producer Marina Zenovich on stage to present this investigative documentary. Thierry Frémaux spoke first explaining how the film came to the Festival de Cannes. “This film was shown at the Sundance Festival, to which I’m happy to pay homage, and Polanski knew that I attended the festival and he called me.
“Did you see the film about me?”
“Yes, I saw it.”
“How is it? Are you going to show it?”
“Not without you.”
“I have complete confidence in your judgement.”
“But that’s a lot of responsibility for me.”
“No, Emmanuelle [his wife] has also seen it and says it’s good.”
And so we met in Paris but he decided not to be with us because the film is about him. It’s a film with a lot of complex turns, and then there’s the fact that thirty years have gone by, but it is an extraordinary example of contemporary cinema. We often show films going back to the 20s, 30s, 40s…In this case, we are in the heart of a period that the historians are just beginning to explore. We are very proud to have this film.”
Marina Zenovich had the last words before the show began: “Thank you to Thierry, Harvey and HBO and hope you enjoy the film.”
