Editing Roman Polanski (section)

== Film director ==

=== 1962–1976: Breakthrough and stardom ===
[[File:Polanski 1969.png|thumb|Polanski in 1969]]

''' ''Knife in the Water'' (1962)'''
Polanski's first feature-length film, ''[[Knife in the Water]]'', was also one of the first significant Polish films after the Second World War that did not have a war theme. Scripted by  [[Jerzy Skolimowski]], [[Jakub Goldberg]], and Polanski,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://wyborcza.pl/1,102030,7114095,Spieprzaj_do_Hollywood_.html |title=Polanski and the writing of "Knife in the Water" |publisher=Wyborcza.pl |access-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527213705/http://wyborcza.pl/1,102030,7114095,Spieprzaj_do_Hollywood_.html |archive-date=27 May 2014}}</ref> ''Knife in the Water'' is about a wealthy, unhappily married couple who decide to take a mysterious hitchhiker with them on a weekend boating excursion. ''Knife in the Water'' was a major commercial success in the West and gave Polanski an international reputation. The film also earned its director his first Academy Award nomination (Best Foreign Language Film) in 1963. [[Leon Niemczyk]], who played Andrzej, was the only professional actor in the film. Jolanta Umecka, who played Krystyna, was discovered by Polanski at a swimming pool.<ref name="california1"/>

Polanski left then-communist Poland and moved to France, where he had already made two notable short films in 1961: ''[[The Fat and the Lean]]'' and ''[[Ssaki|Mammals]]''. While in France, Polanski contributed one segment ("La rivière de diamants") to the French-produced omnibus film, ''[[The World's Most Beautiful Swindlers|Les plus belles escroqueries du monde]]'' (English title: ''The Beautiful Swindlers'') in 1964. (He has since had the segment removed from all releases of the film.)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://olivefilms.com/product/the-worlds-most-beautiful-swindlers/|title=The World's Most Beautiful Swindlers – Olive Films|website=olivefilms.com|access-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170428051213/https://olivefilms.com/product/the-worlds-most-beautiful-swindlers/|archive-date=28 April 2017}}</ref> However, Polanski found that in the early 1960s, the French film industry was [[xenophobia|xenophobic]] and generally unwilling to support a rising filmmaker of foreign origin.<ref name="mississippi"/>

''' ''Repulsion'' (1965)'''
Polanski made three feature films in England, based on original scripts written by himself and [[Gérard Brach]], a frequent collaborator. ''[[Repulsion (film)|Repulsion]]'' (1965) is a psychological horror film focusing on a young [[Belgians|Belgian]] woman named Carol ([[Catherine Deneuve]]).

The film's themes, situations, visual motifs, and effects clearly reflect the influence of early [[surrealist]] cinema as well as horror movies of the 1950s—particularly [[Luis Buñuel]]'s ''[[Un chien Andalou]]'', [[Jean Cocteau]]'s ''[[The Blood of a Poet]]'', [[Henri-Georges Clouzot]]'s ''[[Les Diaboliques (film)|Diabolique]]'' and [[Alfred Hitchcock]]'s ''[[Psycho (1960 film)|Psycho]]''.

''' ''Cul-de-sac'' (1966)'''
''[[Cul-de-sac (1966 film)|Cul-de-sac]]'' (1966) is a bleak [[nihilism|nihilist]] [[tragicomedy]] filmed on location in [[Northumberland]]. The tone and premise of the film owe a great deal to [[Samuel Beckett]]'s ''[[Waiting for Godot]]'', along with aspects of [[Harold Pinter]]'s ''[[The Birthday Party (play)|The Birthday Party]]''.

In 1966 Polanski co-produced the short film ''[[G.G. Passion]]'', directed by [[David Bailey]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=G.G. Passion |url=https://player.bfi.org.uk/rentals/film/watch-gg-passion-1966-online |access-date=29 January 2025 |website=BFI Player}}</ref>

''' ''The Fearless Vampire Killers/Dance of the Vampires'' (1967)'''
[[File:Sharon Tate and Roman Polanski in The Fearless Vampire Killers (1967).jpg|thumb|Roman Polanski with [[Sharon Tate]] in "The Fearless Vampire Killers", 1967]]
''[[The Fearless Vampire Killers]]'' (1967) (known by its original title, "Dance of the Vampires" in most countries outside the United States) is a parody of vampire films. The plot concerns a buffoonish professor and his clumsy assistant, Alfred (played by Polanski), who are traveling through [[Transylvania]] in search of vampires. ''The Fearless Vampire Killers'' was Polanski's first feature to be photographed in color with the use of [[Panavision]] lenses, and included a striking visual style with snow-covered, fairy-tale landscapes, similar to the work of Soviet fantasy filmmakers. In addition, the richly textured color schemes of the settings evoke the paintings of the Belarusian-Jewish artist [[Marc Chagall]], who provides the namesake for the innkeeper in the film. The film was written for [[Jack MacGowran]], who played the lead role of Professor Abronsius.

Polanski met [[Sharon Tate]] while making the film; she played the role of the local innkeeper's daughter. They were married in London on {{nowrap|20 January}} 1968.<ref name="polanski4" /> Shortly after they married, Polanski, with Tate at his side during a documentary film, described the demands of young movie viewers who he said always wanted to see something "new" and "different".<ref>video: [https://vimeo.com/135750398#t=8m4s ''The New Cinema'' (1968)] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911170248/https://vimeo.com/135750398 |date=11 September 2015 }}, fair use clip</ref>

''' ''Rosemary's Baby'' (1968)'''
Paramount studio head [[Robert Evans]] brought Polanski to America ostensibly to direct the film ''[[Downhill Racer#Development and writing|Downhill Racer]]'', but told Polanski that he really wanted him to read the horror novel ''[[Rosemary's Baby (novel)|Rosemary's Baby]]'' by [[Ira Levin]]<ref name="california2"/> to see if a film could be made out of it.<ref name="christopher"/> Polanski read it non-stop through the night and the following morning decided he wanted to write as well as direct it. He wrote the 272-page screenplay in just over three weeks.<ref name="christopher3"/> The film, ''[[Rosemary's Baby (film)|Rosemary's Baby]]'' (1968), was a box-office success and became his first Hollywood production, thereby establishing his reputation as a major commercial filmmaker. The film, a horror-thriller set in trendy Manhattan, is about Rosemary Woodhouse ([[Mia Farrow]]),<ref name="publishing4"/> a young housewife who is impregnated by the devil. Polanski's screenplay adaptation earned him a second Academy Award nomination.

On 9 August 1969, while Polanski was working in London, his pregnant wife, Sharon Tate, and four other people were murdered at the Polanskis' residence in Los Angeles by cult leader [[Charles Manson]]'s [[Manson family|followers]].<ref name="bugliosi" />

''' ''Macbeth'' (1971)'''
Polanski adapted ''[[Macbeth]]'' into a screenplay with the [[Shakespeare]] expert [[Kenneth Tynan]].<ref name="publishing5"/> [[Jon Finch]] and [[Francesca Annis]] played the main characters.<ref name="Bate, Jonath page 132"/> [[Hugh Hefner]] and Playboy Productions funded [[Macbeth (1971 film)|the 1971 film]], which opened in New York and was screened in Playboy Theater.<ref name="california6"/> Hefner was credited as executive producer, and the film was listed as a "Playboy Production".<ref name="shakespeare"/> It was controversial because of Lady Macbeth's being nude in a scene,<ref name="Bate, Jonath page 132" /> and received an X rating because of its graphic violence and nudity.<ref name="shakespeare7"/> In his autobiography, Polanski wrote that he wanted to be true to the violent nature of the work and that he had been aware that his first project following Tate's murder would be subject to scrutiny and probable criticism regardless of the subject matter; if he had made a comedy he would have been perceived as callous.<ref name="polanski5" />

''' ''What?'' (1972)'''
Written by Polanski and previous collaborator [[Gérard Brach]], ''[[What? (film)|What?]]'' (1972) is a mordant [[absurdist fiction|absurdist]] comedy loosely based on the themes of ''[[Alice in Wonderland]]'' and [[Henry James]]. The film is a rambling [[shaggy dog story]] about the sexual indignities that befall a winsome young American hippie woman hitchhiking through Europe.

''' ''Chinatown'' (1974)'''
{{quote box|align=right|width=25em|bgcolor = #e1fcff|quote=Polanski was an outstanding director. There was no question, after three days seeing him operate, that here was a really top talent.|source=Co-star [[John Huston]]<ref>Grobel, Lawrence. ''The Hustons'', Charles Scribner's Sons, N.Y. (1989) p. 678</ref>}}
Polanski returned to Hollywood in 1973 to direct ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]'' (1974) for [[Paramount Pictures]]. The film is widely considered to be one of the finest American mystery crime movies, inspired by the real-life [[California Water Wars]], a series of disputes over southern California water at the beginning of the 20th century.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/bfi-film-releases/chinatown |title=Chinatown |access-date=3 September 2013| url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130904201934/http://www.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/bfi-film-releases/chinatown |archive-date=4 September 2013}}</ref>

It was nominated for 11 Academy Awards, including those for actors [[Jack Nicholson]] and Faye Dunaway. [[Robert Towne]] won for Best Original Screenplay. It also had actor-director [[John Huston]] in a supporting role,<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnptsyyut6A John Huston Retrospective Trailer: "Chinatown"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171213215611/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnptsyyut6A |date=13 December 2017}}, ''Film Society of Lincoln Center''</ref> and was the last film Polanski directed in the United States. In 1991, the film was selected by the [[Library of Congress]] for preservation in the United States [[National Film Registry]] as being "culturally, historically or aesthetically significant" and it is frequently listed as among [[List of films considered the best|the best in world cinema]].<ref name="guardian.co.uk">{{cite news |last=Pulver |first=Andrew |title=Chinatown: the best film of all time |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/best-film-ever-chinatown-season |url-status=live |location=London |work=The Guardian |date=22 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010211710/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2010/oct/22/best-film-ever-chinatown-season |archive-date=10 October 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=100 Greatest Films |url=http://www.filmsite.org/momentsindx.html |url-status=live |work=filmsite.org |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131014162835/http://www.filmsite.org/momentsindx.html |archive-date=14 October 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Greatest film ever: Chinatown wins by a nose |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/greatest-film-ever-chinatown-wins-by-a-nose-20101023-16yk6.html |url-status=live |work=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 October 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160321002324/http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/greatest-film-ever-chinatown-wins-by-a-nose-20101023-16yk6.html |archive-date=21 March 2016}}</ref>

''' ''The Tenant'' (1976)'''
Polanski returned to Paris for his next film, ''[[The Tenant]]'' (1976), which was based on a 1964 novel by [[Roland Topor]], a French writer of Polish-Jewish origin. In addition to directing the film, Polanski also played a leading role of a timid Polish immigrant living in Paris. Together with ''Repulsion'' and ''Rosemary's Baby'', ''The Tenant'' can be seen as the third installment in a loose trilogy of films called the "Apartment Trilogy" that explores the themes of social alienation and psychic and emotional breakdown.<ref name="trilogy" />

In 1978, Polanski [[Roman Polanski sexual abuse case|became a fugitive]] from American justice and could no longer work in countries where he might face arrest or extradition.<ref name="Romney2008-10-05-1">{{cite news |last=Romney |first=Jonathan |date=5 October 2008 |title=Roman Polanski: The truth about his notorious sex crime |work=The Independent |location=London |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/people/profiles/roman-polanski-the-truth-about-his-notorious-sex-crime-949106.html |access-date=10 October 2009 |quote=Hoping to preserve Geimer's anonymity, her attorney Lawrence Silver arranged for Polanski to plea-bargain, to keep the case from going to trial. Accordingly, Polanski pleaded guilty to the lowest of the counts against him, unlawful sexual intercourse.}}</ref><ref name="timeline">{{cite news |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092703488.html |title=Timeline of Director Roman Polanski's Life |date=28 September 2009 |access-date=24 October 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161231010417/http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/27/AR2009092703488.html |archive-date=31 December 2016 |agency=[[Associated Press]] |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref>{{verify source|date=September 2021}}

=== 1979–2004 ===

''' ''Tess'' (1979)'''
He dedicated his next film, ''[[Tess (1979 film)|Tess]]'' (1979), to the memory of his late wife, [[Sharon Tate]]. It was Tate who first suggested he read ''[[Tess of the d'Urbervilles]]'', which she thought would make a good film; he subsequently expected her to star in it.<ref name=People>[http://people.com/archive/after-tess-and-roman-polanski-nastassia-kinski-trades-notoriety-for-l-a-propriety-vol-15-no-14/ "After 'tess' and Roman Polanski, Nastassia Kinski Trades Notoriety for L.a. Propriety"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170303124038/http://people.com/archive/after-tess-and-roman-polanski-nastassia-kinski-trades-notoriety-for-l-a-propriety-vol-15-no-14/ |date=3 March 2017}}, ''People'', 12 April 1981</ref> Nearly a decade after Tate's death, he met [[Nastassja Kinski]], a model and aspiring young actress who had already been in a number of European films. He offered her the starring role, which she accepted. Her father was [[Klaus Kinski]], a leading German actor, who had introduced her to films.

Because the role required having a local dialect, Polanski sent her to London for five months of study and to spend time in the Dorset countryside to get a flavor of the region.<ref name=People/> In the film, Kinski starred opposite [[Peter Firth]] and [[Leigh Lawson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/8/16/1376644998987/Polanski-directing-Peter--004.jpg?w=700&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=aee779bf01206a36dc861bb65dda38ce|title=Photo of Polanski directing Kinski and Firth|publisher=guim.co.uk|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161104141809/https://i.guim.co.uk/img/static/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2013/8/16/1376644998987/Polanski-directing-Peter--004.jpg?w=700&q=55&auto=format&usm=12&fit=max&s=aee779bf01206a36dc861bb65dda38ce|archive-date=4 November 2016}}</ref>

{{quote box|align=left|width=25em|bgcolor = mistyrose|quote=[Polanski] took a lot of time, two years, preparing me for that film. ... He was strict with me, but in a good way. He made me feel smart, that I could do things.|source=Nastassja Kinski<ref>Welsh, James M., Phillips, Gene D. ''The Francis Ford Coppola Encyclopedia'', Scarecrow Press (2010) p. 154</ref>}}
''Tess'' was shot in the north of France instead of Hardy's England and became the most expensive film made in France up to that time. Ultimately, it proved a financial success and was well received by both critics and the public. Polanski won France's César Awards for [[César Award for Best Picture|Best Picture]] and [[César Award for Best Director|Best Director]] and received his fourth Academy Award nomination (and his second nomination for Best Director). The film received three Oscars: best cinematography, best art direction, best costume design, and was nominated for best picture.

At the time, there were rumors that Polanski and Kinski became romantically involved, which he confirmed in a 1994 interview with [[Diane Sawyer]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2w3kw |title=Roman Polanski First Interview After Arrest – Diane Sawyer – video Dailymotion |website=Dailymotion |date=2 September 2007}}</ref> but Nastassja says the rumors are untrue; they were never lovers or had an affair.<ref name=Telegraph>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11394696/Nastassja-Kinski-interview-Ive-had-such-low-self-esteem.html "Nastassja Kinski interview: 'I've had such low self-esteem'"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160619041655/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/11394696/Nastassja-Kinski-interview-Ive-had-such-low-self-esteem.html |date=19 June 2016}}, ''The Telegraph'', U.K., 6 February 2015</ref> She admits that "there was a flirtation. There ''could'' have been a seduction, but there was not. He had respect for me."<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1999/jul/03/weekend7.weekend3 "Daddy's girl"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170404022601/https://www.theguardian.com/theguardian/1999/jul/03/weekend7.weekend3 |date=4 April 2017}}, ''The Guardian'', 2 July 1999</ref> She also recalls his influence on her while filming: "He was really a gentleman, not at all like the things I had heard. He introduced me to beautiful books, plays, movies. He educated me."<ref name=People/> On an emotional level, she said years later that "he was one of the people in my life who cared, ... who took me seriously and gave me a lot of strength."<ref name=Telegraph/> She told [[David Letterman]] more about her experience working with Polanski during an interview.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TzAZHZ7Mjk;t=8m5s|title=Late Night with David Letterman – Nastassja Kinski|last=Aflac163|date=8 June 2016|access-date=11 July 2017|via=YouTube|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170405143340/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7TzAZHZ7Mjk;t=8m5s|archive-date=5 April 2017}}</ref>

[[File:Grazia 02.jpg|thumb|Polanski in Italy in 1984]]

In 1981, Polanski directed and co-starred (as [[Mozart]]) in a stage production of [[Peter Shaffer]]'s play ''[[Amadeus (play)|Amadeus]]'', first in Warsaw, then in Paris.<ref name="contributions8"/><ref name="Polanski On Polish Stage Amid Political Upheaval"/> The play was again directed by Polanski, in Milan, in 1999.<ref name="Roman Polanski-directed Amadeus Opens in Milan, November 30 - Playbill.com"/>

''' ''Pirates'' (1986)'''
Nearly seven years passed before Polanski's next film, ''[[Pirates (1986 film)|Pirates]]'', a lavish period piece starring [[Walter Matthau]] as Captain Red, which the director intended as an homage to the beloved [[Errol Flynn]] swashbucklers of his childhood. Captain Red's henchman, Jean Baptiste, was played by Cris Campion. The film is about a rebellion the two led on a ship called the ''Neptune'', in the seventeenth century. The screenplay was written by Polanski, Gérard Brach, and John Brownjohn. The film was shot on location in Tunisia,<ref name="publishing9"/> using a full-sized pirate vessel constructed for the production. It was a financial and critical failure, recovering a small fraction of its production budget and garnering a single Academy Award nomination.<ref name="publishing10"/>

''' ''Frantic'' (1988)'''
''[[Frantic (film)|Frantic]]'' (1988) was a [[Hitchcockian]] suspense-thriller starring [[Harrison Ford]]<ref name="publishing11"/> and the actress/model [[Emmanuelle Seigner]],<ref name="publishing12"/> who later became Polanski's wife. The film follows an ordinary tourist in Paris whose wife is kidnapped. He attempts, hopelessly, to go through the Byzantine bureaucratic channels to deal with her disappearance, but finally takes matters into his own hands. The film was a commercial failure but received positive reviews from critics.

[[File:Roman Polanski Emmanuelle Seigner Cannes.jpg|thumb|Polanski with wife [[Emmanuelle Seigner]] at the [[1992 Cannes Film Festival]]]]

''' ''Bitter Moon'' (1992)'''
In 1992 Polanski followed with the dark psycho-sexual film ''[[Bitter Moon]]''. The film starred Seigner, [[Hugh Grant]], and [[Kristin Scott Thomas]]. Film critic [[Janet Maslin]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' wrote, "Whatever else Mr. Polanski may be – nasty, mocking, darkly subversive in his view of the world – he definitely isn't dull. ''Bitter Moon'' is the kind of world-class, defiantly bad film that has a life of its own."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1994/03/18/movies/review-film-buttoned-down-people-unbuttoned-memories.html|title=Review/Film; Buttoned-Down People, Unbuttoned Memories|last=Maslin|first=Janet|date=1994-03-18|work=The New York Times|access-date=2019-10-12|language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

''' ''Death and the Maiden'' (1994)'''
In 1994 Polanski directed a film of the acclaimed play ''[[Death and the Maiden (film)|Death and the Maiden]]'' starring [[Ben Kingsley]] and [[Sigourney Weaver]]. The film is based on the [[Ariel Dorfman]] [[Death and the Maiden (play)|play of the same name]]. [[Roger Ebert]] of the ''[[Chicago Sun-Times]]'' praised Polanski on his directing writing, "Death and the Maiden is all about acting. In other hands, even given the same director, this might have been a dreary slog."<ref>{{cite web |date=1995 |last=Ebert |first=Roger |author-link=Roger Ebert |title=Death And The Maiden movie review (1995) |url=https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/death-and-the-maiden-1995 |website=[[Chicago Sun-Times]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=12 December 1994 |last=McCarthy |first=Todd |author-link=Todd McCarthy |title=Death and the Maiden |url=https://variety.com/1994/film/reviews/death-and-the-maiden-3-1200439773/ |website=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]}}</ref>

''' ''The Fearless Vampire Killers'' (1997)'''

In 1997, Polanski directed a stage version of his 1967 film ''[[The Fearless Vampire Killers]]'', which debuted in [[Vienna]]<ref name="bartlomiej"/> followed by successful runs in [[Stuttgart]], Hamburg, Berlin, and Budapest.

On {{Nowrap|11 March}} 1998, Polanski was elected a member of the [[Académie des Beaux-Arts]].<ref name="Entertainment, Polanski joins French elite" />
[[File:Roman Polanski..jpg|thumb|upright|left|Polanski at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival]] for ''The Pianist'']]

''' ''The Ninth Gate'' (1999)'''

''[[The Ninth Gate]]'' is a thriller based on the novel ''[[El Club Dumas]]'' by [[Arturo Perez-Reverte]] and starring [[Johnny Depp]]. The movie's plot is based on the idea that an ancient text called "The Nine Gates of the Kingdom of Shadows", authored by Aristide Torchia along with Lucifer, is the key to raising Satan.<ref name="publishing13"/>

''' ''The Pianist'' (2002)'''

In 2001, Polanski filmed ''[[The Pianist (2002 film)|The Pianist]]'', an adaptation of the World War II [[The Pianist (memoir)|autobiography of the same name]] by Polish-Jewish musician [[Władysław Szpilman]]. Szpilman's experiences as a persecuted Jew in Poland during World War II were reminiscent of those of Polanski and his family. While Szpilman and Polanski escaped the [[Nazi concentration camps|concentration camps]], their families did not, eventually perishing.

When Warsaw, Poland, was chosen for the 2002 premiere of ''The Pianist'', "the country exploded with pride". According to reports, numerous former communists came to the screening and "agreed that it was a fantastic film".<ref name="worldcrunch" /> In May 2002, the film won the {{Lang|fr|[[Palme d'Or]]}} (Golden Palm) award at the [[2002 Cannes Film Festival|Cannes Film Festival]],<ref name="cannes-2002.com" /> as well as [[César Awards|Césars]] for [[César Award for Best Film|Best Film]] and [[Cesar Award for Best Director|Best Director]].

The film was released in North America to critical acclaim. [[Roger Ebert]] praised in particular Polanski, writing, "[His] direction is masterful." and added "Polanski is reflecting, I believe, his own deepest feelings: that he survived, but need not have, and that his mother died and left a wound that had never healed."<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-pianist-2003|title= The Pianist movie review|website= Rogerebert.com|accessdate= September 4, 2023}}</ref> Polanski later won the 2002 [[Academy Award for Best Director]]. Because Polanski would have been arrested in the United States, he did not attend the Academy Awards ceremony in Hollywood. After the announcement of the Best Director Award, Polanski received a standing ovation from most of those present in the theater. Actor [[Harrison Ford]] accepted the award for Polanski and then presented the Oscar to him at the [[Deauville Film Festival]] five months later in a public ceremony.<ref name="wlwt" /> Polanski later received the [[Crystal Globe (Karlovy Vary International Film Festival)|Crystal Globe]] award for outstanding artistic contribution to world cinema at the [[Karlovy Vary International Film Festival]] in 2004.

=== 2005–present ===
''' ''Oliver Twist''  (2005)'''

''[[Oliver Twist (2005 film)|Oliver Twist]]'' is an adaptation of [[Charles Dickens]]' [[Oliver Twist|novel]], written by ''[[The Pianist (2002 film)|The Pianist]]''{{'}}s [[Ronald Harwood]] and shot in Prague.<ref name="publishing14"/> Polanski said in interviews that he made the film as something he could show his children and that the life of the young scavenger mirrored his own life, fending for himself in World War II Poland.

[[File:Roman-Polanski-y-Diego-Moldes,-Madrid,-.29.11.2005.jpg|thumb|Polanski and Spanish writer Diego Moldes, Madrid 2005]]

''' ''The Ghost Writer'' (2010)'''

''[[The Ghost Writer (film)|The Ghost Writer]]'', a thriller focusing on a ghostwriter working on the memoirs of a character based loosely on former British prime minister [[Tony Blair]], swept the [[European Film Awards]] in 2010, winning six awards, including best movie, director, actor and screenplay.<ref name="Awards1" /> When it premiered at the [[60th Berlin International Film Festival|60th Berlinale]] in February 2010, Polanski won a [[Silver Bear for Best Director]],<ref name="historical"/> and in February 2011, it won four [[César Awards]], France's version of the Academy Awards.<ref name="nytimes" />

The film is based on the novel by British writer [[Robert Harris (novelist)|Robert Harris]]. Harris and Polanski had previously worked for many months on a film of Harris's earlier novel ''Pompeii'', a novel that was in turn inspired by Polanski's ''[[Chinatown (1974 film)|Chinatown]]''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Beard |first=Matthew |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/polanski-to-bring-bestseller-on-last-days-of-pompeii-to-the-big-screen-434816.html |title=Polanski to bring best-seller on last days of Pompeii to the big screen |work=The Independent |access-date=30 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130551/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/polanski-to-bring-bestseller-on-last-days-of-pompeii-to-the-big-screen-434816.html |archive-date=24 September 2015 }}</ref> They had completed a script for ''Pompeii'' and were nearing production when the film was cancelled due to a looming actors' strike in September 2007.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2007/film/news/polanski-pulls-out-of-pompeii-2-1117971777/ |title=Polanski pulls out of 'Pompeii' |work=Variety |date=11 September 2007 |access-date=30 October 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151211033213/http://variety.com/2007/film/news/polanski-pulls-out-of-pompeii-2-1117971777/ |archive-date=11 December 2015 }}</ref>  After that film fell apart, they moved on to Harris's novel, [[The Ghost (novel)|The Ghost]], and adapted it for the screen together.

The cast includes [[Ewan McGregor]] as the writer and [[Pierce Brosnan]] as former British Prime Minister Adam Lang. The film was shot on locations in Germany.<ref name="studiobabelsberg" />

In the United States, film critic Roger Ebert included it in his top 10 picks for 2010 and states that "this movie is the work of a man who knows how to direct a thriller. Smooth, calm, confident, it builds suspense instead of depending on shock and action."<ref name="firstshowing" /> Co-star Ewan McGregor agreed, having said about Polanski that "he's a legend ... I've never examined a director and the way that they work so much before. He's brilliant, just brilliant, and absolutely warrants his reputation as a great director."<ref name="articleslash" />
[[File:Roman Polanski Emmanuelle Seigner Césars 2011.jpg|thumb|Polanski and [[Emmanuelle Seigner]] at the César Awards in 2011]]

''' ''Carnage'' (2011)'''

Polanski shot ''[[Carnage (2011 film)|Carnage]]'' in February/March 2011. The film is a screen version of [[Yasmina Reza]]'s play ''[[God of Carnage]]'', a comedy about two couples who meet after their children get in a fight at school, and how their initially civilized conversation devolves into chaos. It stars [[Kate Winslet]], [[Jodie Foster]], [[Christoph Waltz]] and [[John C. Reilly]]. Though set in New York, it was shot in Paris. The film had its world premiere on 9 September 2011 at the [[Venice Film Festival]] and was released in the United States by [[Sony Pictures Classics]] on 16 December 2011.{{citation needed|date=November 2019}}

Co-stars Jodie Foster and Kate Winslet commented about Polanski's directing style. According to Foster, "He has a very, very definitive style about how he likes it done. He decides everything. He decided every lens. Every prop. Everything. It's all him."<ref name="hollywoodchicago" /> Winslet adds that "Roman is one of the most extraordinary men I've ever met. The guy is 77 years old. He has an effervescent quality to him. He's very joyful about his work, which is infectious. He likes to have a small crew, to the point that, when I walked on the set, my thought was, 'My God, this is it?'"<ref name="inquirer" /> Also noting that style of directing, [[New York Film Festival]] director [[Richard Pena]], during the American premiere of the film, called Polanski "a poet of small spaces ... in just a couple of rooms he can conjure up an entire world, an entire society."<ref name="latimes" />

Polanski makes an uncredited cameo appearance as a neighbor.

''' ''Venus in Fur'' (2013)'''

[[File:Vénus en fourrure Cannes 2013.jpg|thumb|Roman Polanski, [[Emmanuelle Seigner]] and [[Mathieu Amalric]] promoting ''Venus in Fur'' at the Cannes Film Festival in 2013]]
Polanski's French-language adaptation of the play ''[[Venus in Fur (film)|Venus in Fur]]'', stars his wife [[Emmanuelle Seigner]] and [[Mathieu Amalric]]. Polanski worked with the play's author, [[David Ives]], on the screenplay.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/mathieu-amalric-replaces-louis-garrel-in-roman-polanskis-venus-is-fur-20130117 |title=Mathieu Amalric Replaces Louis Garrel in Roman Polanski's 'Venus in Fur' |work=Blogs.indiewire.com |date=17 January 2013 |access-date=16 July 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605065313/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/mathieu-amalric-replaces-louis-garrel-in-roman-polanskis-venus-is-fur-20130117 |archive-date=5 June 2013 }}</ref> The film was shot from December 2012 to February 2013<ref>{{cite web|title=PRODUCTION: Polanski Shooting a Polish-French Comedy|url=http://www.filmneweurope.com/news/poland-news/item/104808-prodcution-polanski-shooting-a-polish-french-comedy|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170214180252/http://www.filmneweurope.com/news/poland-news/item/104808-prodcution-polanski-shooting-a-polish-french-comedy|archive-date=14 February 2017}}</ref> in French and is Polanski's first non-English-language feature film in forty years.<ref name="deadline"/> The film premiered in competition at the [[2013 Cannes Film Festival]]<ref name="Cannes2013">{{cite web|url=http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/59652.html|title=2013 Official Selection|date=18 April 2013|access-date=18 April 2013|work=Cannes|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150212064729/http://www.festival-cannes.fr/en/article/59652.html|archive-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> on 25 May 2013.

''' ''Based on a True Story''  (2017)'''

[[File:Cannes 2017 38.jpg|thumb|Polanski promoting ''Based on a True Story'' at the [[2017 Cannes Film Festival]]]]
Polanski's ''[[Based on a True Story (film)|Based on a True Story]]'' is an adaptation of the French novel by bestselling author Delphine de Vignan.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/19/roman-polanski-and-olivier-assayas-join-forces-on-new-film|title=Roman Polanski and Olivier Assayas join forces on new film|first=Henry|last=Barnes|date=19 July 2016|work=The Guardian|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160719192151/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2016/jul/19/roman-polanski-and-olivier-assayas-join-forces-on-new-film|archive-date=19 July 2016}}</ref> The film follows a writer (Emmanuelle Seigner) struggling to complete a new novel, while followed by an obsessed fan ([[Eva Green]]). It started production in November 2016 from a script adapted by Polanski and [[Olivier Assayas]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/global/toronto-eva-green-emmanuelle-seigner-star-in-roman-polanski-olivier-assayass-true-story-exclusive-1201861460/|title=Toronto: Eva Green, Emmanuelle Seigner Star in Roman Polanski-Olivier Assayas' 'True Story'|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|date=15 September 2016|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170606010540/http://variety.com/2016/film/global/toronto-eva-green-emmanuelle-seigner-star-in-roman-polanski-olivier-assayass-true-story-exclusive-1201861460/|archive-date=6 June 2017}}</ref> It premiered out of competition at the [[2017 Cannes Film Festival]] on 27 May 2017<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/04/cannes-film-festival-roman-polanskis-based-on-a-true-story-2017-lineup-1202078559/|title=Cannes Adds Roman Polanski's 'Based On A True Story' & More Films To Lineup|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=27 April 2017|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=11 July 2017|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170625225838/http://deadline.com/2017/04/cannes-film-festival-roman-polanskis-based-on-a-true-story-2017-lineup-1202078559/|archive-date=25 June 2017}}</ref> and opened in France on 1 November 2017.

'''Expulsion from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences'''

In May 2018, the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] stated that the board "has voted to expel actor [[Bill Cosby]] and director Roman Polanski from its membership in accordance with the organisation's Standards of Conduct." Polanski is one of only four members to have been expelled from the academy. Following its expulsion of Harvey Weinstein,<ref>{{Cite news |date=May 3, 2018 |title=Bill Cosby, Roman Polanski expelled by Oscars academy |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/entertainment/cosby-polanski-1.4647021 |access-date=December 6, 2024 |work=[[CBC News]] |quote=It's the first major decision since the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences implemented revised standards of conduct for its over 8,400 members following its expulsion of disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein in October. |agency=[[The Associated Press]]}}</ref> the academy's Standards of Conduct had recently been revised as a result of impacts of the [[MeToo|#MeToo]] and [[Time's Up (organization)|Time's Up]] movements on the [[film industry]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43994591|title=Bill Cosby and Roman Polanski expelled from Oscars academy|publisher=[[BBC News]]|location=London|date=3 May 2018|access-date=20 November 2018}}</ref> The same year, his wife Emmanuelle Seigner rejected the invitation to join the academy, denouncing the "hypocrisy" of a group that expelled Polanski.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-people-polanski-seigner-oscars/polanskis-wife-says-non-merci-to-oscars-academy-invite-idUSKBN1JX12D|title=Polanski's wife says 'Non merci!' to Oscars' academy invite|publisher=[[Reuters]]|date=8 July 2018|access-date=30 July 2020}}</ref>

'''''An Officer and a Spy'' (2019)'''

Polanski's 2019 film ''[[An Officer and a Spy (film)|An Officer and a Spy]]'', centers on the notorious 19th century [[Dreyfus affair]]. The film stars [[Jean Dujardin]] as French officer [[Georges Picquart]] and follows his struggle from 1896–1906 to expose the truth about the doctored evidence that led to [[Alfred Dreyfus]], one of the few Jewish members of the French Army's general staff, being wrongly convicted of passing military secrets to the [[German Empire]] and sent to [[Devil's Island]]. The film is written by [[Robert Harris (novelist)|Robert Harris]], who was working with Polanski for the third time.<ref name="Roman Polanski to Direct Dreyfus Affair Drama 'D'"/> It co-stars [[Louis Garrel]] as Dreyfus, [[Mathieu Amalric]] and Polanski's wife Emmanuelle Seigner.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/roman-polanskis-jaccuse-is-his-first-film-metoo-era-1147851|title=Roman Polanski's 'J'Accuse' Is Filmmaker's First in the Post-#MeToo Era|date=28 September 2018|website=The Hollywood Reporter}}</ref> It was produced by [[Alain Goldman]]'s Legende Films and distributed by [[Gaumont Film Company|Gaumont]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18675311.html|title=J'accuse : Jean Dujardin chez Roman Polanski pour son film sur l'affaire Dreyfus|last=AlloCine|access-date=7 September 2018|archive-date=27 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127072707/http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18675311.html|url-status=live}}</ref> Filming began on 26 November 2018<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqpp8ITARXZ/|title=Jean Dujardin on Instagram: "Au boulot! 1er jour de tournage de #jaccuse de #romanpolanski @robertharrishome #colonel #mariegeorgespicquart"|website=Instagram|access-date=10 December 2018|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627025159/https://www.instagram.com/p/Bqpp8ITARXZ/|url-status=live}}</ref> and was completed on 28 April 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwz0ss-Aldx/|title=Jean Dujardin on Instagram: "Fin de tournage! Merci à toute l'équipe. 🙏❤️ #jaccuse de #romanpolanski photo @guyferrandis"|website=Instagram|access-date=18 May 2019|archive-date=27 June 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200627025204/https://www.instagram.com/p/Bwz0ss-Aldx/|url-status=live}}</ref>

Although set in Paris, the film was first scheduled to shoot in Warsaw in 2014, for economic reasons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/174633,Polanski-wants-to-make-next-movie-in-Poland|title=Polanski wants to make next movie in Poland|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161123133640/http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/174633,Polanski-wants-to-make-next-movie-in-Poland|archive-date=23 November 2016}}</ref> However, production was postponed after Polanski moved to Poland for filming and the U.S. Government filed extradition papers. The Polish government eventually rejected them, by which time new French film tax credits had been introduced, allowing the film to shoot on location in Paris. It was budgeted at [[euro sign|€]]60m and was again set to start production in July 2016,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.leparisien.fr/espace-premium/culture-loisirs/polanski-tournera-dreyfus-en-france-09-02-2016-5527437.php#xtref=https://www.google.com|title=Polanski tournera " Dreyfus " en France|date=24 October 2016|access-date=11 February 2016|archive-date=29 October 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181029233027/http://www.leparisien.fr/espace-premium/culture-loisirs/polanski-tournera-dreyfus-en-france-09-02-2016-5527437.php#xtref=https://www.google.com|url-status=live}}</ref> however its production was postponed as Polanski waited on the availability of a star, whose name was not announced.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/246505,Polanski-delays-filming-of-spy-thriller|title=Polański delays filming of spy thriller|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160405080325/http://www.thenews.pl/1/11/Artykul/246505,Polanski-delays-filming-of-spy-thriller|archive-date=5 April 2016}}</ref> In a 2017 interview Polanski discussed the difficulty of the project:
{{blockquote|The problem of the film is the combination of casting and financing, it's an expensive film and films of this scale are only made with a bankable star, as they say vulgarly, and the stars capable of satisfying the financial requirement I do not necessarily see in the role of Picquart, who is our main character. Apart from that, there are about fifty important roles. They should all speak with the same accent in English, otherwise it would be appalling. It is necessary so that the film can be sold around the world. To unlock the financial means to produce such a project is impossible if you shoot in French."<ref>Translated from: Gauthier Jurgensen, "[http://www.allocine.fr/article/fichearticle_gen_carticle=18668068.html Roman Polanski tournera un documentaire sur son enfance et s'exprime sur le projet Dreyfus]", ''Allocie'', October 18, 2017</ref> }}

It had its world premiere at the [[Venice Film Festival]] on 30 August 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2019/film/news/venice-film-festival-lineup-the-truth-ad-astra-marriage-story-1203277662/|title=Joker, Ad Astra, The Laundromat, Marriage Story to Compete in Venice|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|work=Variety|date=25 July 2019|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=9 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191209102116/https://variety.com/2019/film/news/venice-film-festival-lineup-the-truth-ad-astra-marriage-story-1203277662/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2019/venezia-76-competition|title=Venezia 76 Competition|publisher=labiennale.org|date=25 July 2019|access-date=25 July 2019|archive-date=8 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191208223941/https://www.labiennale.org/en/cinema/2019/venezia-76-competition|url-status=live}}</ref> It received a standing ovation and won the [[Grand Jury Prize (Venice Film Festival)|Grand Jury Prize]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia/notizie/01-spettacoli-documentoocorriere-web-sezioni-47a6b418-cb57-11e9-9881-63e9a7b3e050.shtml|title=Venezia 2019, Roman Polanski: "Io come Dreyfus". Applausi al suo film "J'accuse"|first=Stefania|last=Ulivi|date=30 August 2019|website=Corriere della Sera|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=14 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190914062903/https://www.corriere.it/spettacoli/mostra-del-cinema-venezia/notizie/01-spettacoli-documentoocorriere-web-sezioni-47a6b418-cb57-11e9-9881-63e9a7b3e050.shtml|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/spettacoli/venezia-2019/2019/08/30/news/venezia_76_jaccuse_roman_polanski-234731113/|title=Venezia 76, applausi a 'J'accuse' di Polanski. Dujardin: "Un grande film diretto da un regista-sciamano"|website=www.repubblica.it|date=30 August 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=8 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200108001918/https://www.repubblica.it/dossier/spettacoli/venezia-2019/2019/08/30/news/venezia_76_jaccuse_roman_polanski-234731113/amp/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ilmessaggero.it/spettacoli/cinema/festival_cinema_venezia_polanski_j_accuse-4704847.html|title=Festival del cinema, Polanski oltre le polemiche elogi e applausi per il suo J'accuse|first=di Gloria|last=Satta|date=31 August 2019|website=ilmessaggeroit|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=13 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913195408/https://www.ilmessaggero.it/spettacoli/cinema/festival_cinema_venezia_polanski_j_accuse-4704847.html|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-awards-revealed-1237684 |title=Venice: Todd Phillips' 'Joker' Wins Golden Lion, Roman Polanski Wins Silver Lion |work=The Hollywood Reporter |first=Ariston |last=Anderson |date=7 September 2019 |access-date=2 November 2019 |archive-date=7 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190907190057/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/venice-film-festival-awards-revealed-1237684 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was released in France on 13 November 2019, by Gaumont.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gaumont.fr/en/film/J-accuse.html|title=J'Accuse|website=[[Gaumont Film Company]]|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=2 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191102200430/https://www.gaumont.fr/en/film/J-accuse.html|url-status=live}}</ref> The film has received backlash due to the plot of the film relating to [[Roman Polanski sexual abuse case|Polanski's sexual abuse case]] and further accusations of harassment and assault.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/01/roman-polanski-jaccuse-dreyfus-affair-film-outrage|title=Social media outrage over Roman Polanski film J'Accuse|website=[[The Guardian]]|first=Andrew|last=Pulver|date=1 October 2018|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=12 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212173322/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2018/oct/01/roman-polanski-jaccuse-dreyfus-affair-film-outrage|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://forward.com/culture/430934/roman-polanski-dreyfus-affair-film-venice-reviews-mixed/|title=Does Roman Polanski's New Film Make The Dreyfus Affair About Him?|website=[[The Forward]]|first=PJ|last=Grisar|date=6 September 2019|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=19 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191119021145/https://forward.com/culture/430934/roman-polanski-dreyfus-affair-film-venice-reviews-mixed/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/why-we-should-not-be-watching-roman-polanski-s-film-on-the-dreyfus-affair-1.488293|title=Why we should not be watching Roman Polanski's film on the Dreyfus Affair|website=[[The Jewish Chronicle]]|first=Daniel|last=Sugarman|date=5 September 2019|access-date=2 November 2019|archive-date=6 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206161834/https://www.thejc.com/comment/comment/why-we-should-not-be-watching-roman-polanski-s-film-on-the-dreyfus-affair-1.488293|url-status=live}}</ref>

Polanski caused outrage by comparing his own experience's to Dreyfus's.<ref name="AFP Weinstein's Fault" /> In an interview to promote the film, Polanski said: "I am familiar with many of the workings of the apparatus of persecution shown in the film... I can see the same determination to deny the facts and condemn me for things I have not done. Most of the people who harass me do not know me and know nothing about the case."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/01/roman-polanski-cesar-award-jaccuse-divides-french-cinema|title=Polanski's 'Oscar' divides elite world of French cinema|first=Kim|last=Willsher|date=1 March 2020|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=1 March 2020|archive-date=21 March 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200321102914/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/mar/01/roman-polanski-cesar-award-jaccuse-divides-french-cinema|url-status=live}}</ref> Aside from Polanski's involvement, the film was not controversial and was generally well reviewed.<ref name= "Independent Silver Lion" >{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Roisin |title=Roman Polanski is controversial Silver Lion winner at Venice Film Festival |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/roman-polanski-venice-film-festival-winner-child-rape-officer-and-a-gentleman-a9096256.html |website=independent.co.uk |date=8 September 2019 |publisher=The Independent |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>

In February 2020, Polanski won [[César Award for Best Director|Best Director]] at France's 2020 Cesar Awards. Neither Polanski nor the cast and crew of ''An Officer and a Spy'' (''J'accuse'') attended the awards ceremony hosted at the Salle Pleyel in Paris. Polanski said that he will not submit himself to a "public lynching" over rape accusations he denies. Addressing the accusations of sexual assault leveled at him, he said, "Fantasies of unhealthy minds are now treated as proven facts."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20200227-fearing-public-lynching-polanski-skips-french-oscars-night|title=Fearing 'public lynching', Polanski pulls out of France's César awards|date=27 February 2020|website=France 24}}</ref> This is Polanski's fifth Best Director Cesar win, the record for a single director; he previously won for ''Tess'', ''The Pianist'', ''The Ghost Writer'', and ''Venus in Fur''.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/movies/attendees-walk-out-cesar-awards-roman-polanski-best-director-win/|title=Attendees walk out after Roman Polanski wins Best Director at Cesar Awards|magazine=Entertainment Weekly|first=Maureen Lee|last=Lenker|date=28 February 2020|access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref> Polanski's wife Emmanuelle Seigner accepted the award on his behalf.<ref name= "Independent Silver Lion" />

Prior to the awards ceremony, Polanski released a statement, saying, "For several days, people have asked me this question: Will I or won't I attend the Cesar ceremony? The question I ask in turn is this: How could I?. [...] The way the night will unfold, we already know in advance," he continued. "Activists have already threatened me with a public lynching, some have announced protests in front of the Salle Pleyel. Others intend to make it a platform to denounce (the) governing body. It promises to look more like a symposium than a celebration of cinema." Polanski said he was skipping the ceremony in order to protect his team as well as his wife and children, who "have been made to suffer injuries and affronts." Making reference to the recent media scandal that led to the Cesar board's mass resignation, Polanski added: "The press and social media have presented our 12 nominations as if they were gifts offered to us by the academy's board of directors, as some authoritarian gesture that had forced their resignations. Doing so undermines the secret vote of the 4,313 professionals who alone decide the nominations and the more than 1.5 million viewers who came to see the film."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2020/film/directors/roman-polanski-pulls-out-of-frances-cesar-awards-1203517401/|title=Roman Polanski Pulls Out of France's Cesar Awards|work=Variety|first1=Ben Croll, Manori|last1=Ravindran|first2=Ben|last2=Croll|first3=Manori|last3=Ravindran|date=27 February 2020|access-date=21 December 2021}}</ref>

Despite Polanski's absence from the awards ceremony, his nomination and win sparked protests due to the rape charges that he still faces. The protestors held up signs with slogans like "Shame on an industry that protects rapists." Police clashed with protestors, even firing tear gas upon them. Actions were also taken by celebrities, such as [[Adèle Haenel]], [[Noémie Merlant]], and [[Celine Sciamma]] who walked out of the awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/roman-polanski-win-sparks-protest-and-walkouts-at-frances-c-c3-a9sar-awards/ar-BB10zkwK|title=Roman Polanski win sparks protest and walkouts at France's César Awards|last=Ordona|first=Michael|date=29 February 2020|website=Los Angeles Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|date=29 February 2020|title='Portrait of a Lady on Fire' Cast & Crew Protest Roman Polanski Win|url=https://www.pride.com/celebrities/2020/2/29/portrait-lady-fire-cast-crew-protest-roman-polanski-win|access-date=31 October 2020|website=www.pride.com|language=en}}</ref> Many other celebrities and feminists spoke out against Polanski online, such as NousToutes, a French feminist collective, who called the win "shameful", and [[Jessica Chastain]] tweeted, "I Fucking Stan" in regard to the protests. At the same time some celebrities came to his defense, like actress [[Fanny Ardant]], who said, "When I love someone, I love them passionately. And I love Roman Polanski a lot... a lot... So I'm very happy for him. Then, I understand that not everyone agrees but long live freedom!" and actress [[Brigitte Bardot]] who said, "Thankfully Polanski exists and he is saving cinema from its mediocrity! I judge him on his talent and not on his private life! I regret never having shot with him!"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/movies/awards/actresses-walk-out-of-french-oscars-after-roman-polanski-wins-top-awards/ar-BB10ytsi?li=AA2qN5v|title=Actresses walk out of 'French Oscars' after Roman Polanski wins top awards|last1=Wojazer|first1=Barbara|last2=McKenzie|first2=Sheena|date=29 February 2020|website=CNN|last3=Vandoorne|first3=Saskya}}</ref> The actor [[Lambert Wilson]] called the protest campaign against Polanski "abominable public lynching",{{citation needed|date=March 2024}} as did [[Isabelle Huppert]], who stated that "lynching is a form of pornography".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2020/mar/24/isabelle-huppert-interview-french-film-industry-metoo|title='I don't conform': backstage with the indomitable Isabelle Huppert|first=Laura|last=Cappelle|date=24 March 2020|website=The Guardian|access-date=10 February 2021}}</ref> Likewise, Polanski's alleged victim Samantha Geimer criticized the protesters as "very opportunistic", and said that "If you want to change the world today, you do it by{{nbsp}}... demanding people be held accountable today, not by picking someone who is famous and thinking that if you demonise him for things that happened decades ago that somehow that has any value in protecting people and changing society".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.irishnews.com/magazine/entertainment/2020/04/08/news/alleged-victim-defends-polanski-and-criticises-opportunistic-protesters-1895362/|title=Alleged victim defends Polanski and criticises 'opportunistic' protesters|date=8 April 2020|website=Irish News|access-date=18 April 2020}}</ref>

'''''The Palace'' (2023)'''

''[[The Palace (2023 film)|The Palace]]'' began filming in February 2022 in [[Gstaad]], Switzerland.<ref name="Palace">{{cite news|last=Vivarelli|first=Nick|date=22 May 2022|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/news/france-falls-out-of-love-with-roman-polanski-1235272794/|title= Roman Polanski Always Thrived in France, But Now Even His Adopted Country is Turning On Him (EXCLUSIVE)|work=Variety|access-date=29 May 2022}}</ref> The film stars [[Mickey Rourke]], [[Fanny Ardant]], and [[Oliver Masucci]],<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://variety.com/2022/film/global/roman-polanski-the-palace-casts-fantastic-beasts-oliver-masucci-1235240068/|title=Roman Polanski's 'The Palace' Adds 'Fantastic Beasts' Actor Oliver Masucci, Fanny Ardant (EXCLUSIVE)|first=Elsa|last=Keslassy|website=Variety|date=25 April 2022|access-date=26 April 2022}}</ref> and is a black comedy about the guests at a Swiss luxury hotel on New Year's Eve 1999. Polanski co-wrote the screenplay with fellow Polish director [[Jerzy Skolimowski]], who also co-wrote Polanski's first feature, ''Knife in the Water'', in 1962. The film was unable to find financing in France due to souring French public opinion of Polanski following a new round of sexual assault allegations, and ended up being primarily funded by the Italian company, [[RAI Cinema]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fernández |first1=Alexia |title=Controversial Director Roman Polanski Announces New Movie After Being Expelled from the Academy |url=https://people.com/movies/roman-polanski-announces-new-movie-after-being-expelled-from-the-academy/ |access-date=8 September 2023 |website=people.com |publisher=People}}</ref>  Polanski's reputation also brought casting challenges, with a number of actors turning down roles for fear of tarnishing their careers.<ref name="Palace" /> RAI Cinema and Eliseo Entertainment produced the film.<ref>{{cite web |last=Grater |first=Tom |date=29 April 2021 |title=Roman Polanski To Direct 'The Palace' For Rai Cinema |url=https://deadline.com/2021/04/roman-polanski-direct-the-palace-rai-cinema-1234746506/ |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=Deadline}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Fernández |first=Alexia |date=30 April 2021 |title=Controversial Director Roman Polanski Announces New Movie After Being Expelled from the Academy |url=https://people.com/movies/roman-polanski-announces-new-movie-after-being-expelled-from-the-academy/ |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=People}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Barfield |first=Charles |date=29 April 2021 |title='The Palace': Roman Polanski Will Begin Production On His Next Film This Fall In Europe |url=https://theplaylist.net/roman-polanski-the-palace-20210429/ |access-date=20 December 2021 |work=The Playlist}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=29 April 2021 |title=Roman Polanski Teams With Jerzy Skolimowski on 'The Palace' |url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/roman-polanski-the-palace-jerzy-skolimowski-rai-1234963008/ |access-date=26 January 2022 |work=Variety}}</ref> The film had its world premiere at the [[80th Venice International Film Festival|Venice Film Festival]] on 2 September 2023,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Goodfellow |first=Melanie |date=2023-09-02 |title=Roman Polanski's 'The Palace' Gets 3-Minute Ovation At Venice Film Festival |url=https://deadline.com/2023/09/roman-polanski-palace-venice-film-festival-standing-ovation-1235535056/ |access-date=2023-09-02 |website=deadline |language=en-US}}</ref> before it was released theatrically in Italy by [[01 Distribution]] on 28 September 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Vivarelli |first=Nick |date=2023-06-08 |title=Roman Polanski's 'The Palace' Sets September Release Date in Italy: Is it Headed for Venice? |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/global/roman-polanski-the-palace-september-release-italy-venice-1235637080/ |access-date=2023-06-30 |website=Variety |language=en-US}}</ref>

'''2023 Venice Film Festival controversy'''

The inclusion of films from Polanski, [[Woody Allen]], and [[Luc Besson]] at the [[2023 Venice Film Festival]] was controversial and brought significant criticism to its organizers due to the various sex abuse allegations against all three. Festival head [[Alberto Barbera]] defended their inclusion, saying of Polanski specifically, "I don't understand why one cannot distinguish between the responsibilities of the man and those of the artist. Polanski is 90 years old, he is one of the few working masters, he made an extraordinary film. It may be the last film of his career, although I hope he does like [[Manoel de Oliveira|De Oliveira]], who made films until he was 105. I stand firmly among those who in the debate distinguish between the responsibility of the man and that of the artist."<ref>{{cite web |last1=Mouriquand |first1=David |title=Venice Film Festival boss defends inclusion of directors Woody Allen, Roman Polanski and Luc Besson |url=https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/07/26/venice-film-festival-boss-defends-inclusion-of-directors-woody-allen-roman-polanski-and-lu |website=euronews.com |date=26 July 2023 |publisher=EuroNews |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>