French Court Rules in Favor of Roman Polanski in Defamation Case Involving British Actor

The French court acquitted filmmaker Roman Polanski of defamation charges on Tuesday, stemming from his comments about British actor Charlotte Lewis in a 2019 interview with Paris Match magazine. Lewis had accused Polanski of sexual assault, prompting him to call her a liar.

The court’s ruling focused solely on whether Polanski’s remarks constituted defamation against Lewis, not on the truth of the assault allegation. Despite the verdict in Polanski’s favor, Lewis expressed disappointment and vowed to appeal, stating, “For us, it’s not over.”

Polanski, who was not present in court, received the news from his lawyer Delphine Meillet. She emphasized the importance of defending against accusations and hailed the verdict as a victory for the rights of the defense. The timing of the ruling on the opening day of the Cannes Film Festival was noted as symbolic.

The accusations against Polanski date back to Lewis’s claim that he sexually abused her at the age of 16 during a casting session for his film “Pirates” in 1983. This case adds to a series of sexual assault allegations against the 90-year-old director, including a high-profile incident from 1977 where he pleaded guilty to raping a 13-year-old girl in the United States before fleeing to Europe.

Despite the court’s decision in his favor, Polanski’s legal battles and controversies surrounding his past behavior continue to cast a shadow over his acclaimed filmmaking career.