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Tarantino apologises to Polanski rape victim
Los Angeles: Director Quentin Tarantino has apologised for an old interview where he insisted that Roman Polanski was not guilty of raping a minor. The director’s 2003 interview with Howard Stern resurfaced and attracted criticism from everyone, including rape victim Samantha Geimer.
Tarantino publicly apologised to Geimer, now 54, for “incorrectly” playing devil’s advocate.
“I want to publicly apologise to Samantha Geimer for my cavalier remarks on The Howard Stern Show speculating about her and the crime that was committed against her. Fifteen years later, I realise how wrong I was,” he said in a statement to Indie Wire.
“Ms Geimer was raped by Roman Polanski. When Howard brought up Polanski, I incorrectly played devil’s advocate in the debate for the sake of being provocative. I didn’t take Ms Geimer’s feelings into consideration and for that I am truly sorry. So, Ms Geimer, I was ignorant, and insensitive, and above all, incorrect. I am sorry Samantha,” he said.
In 1977, Polanski was charged with five counts of unlawful sexual intercourse against then 13- year- old Geimer.
Since he faced potential imprisonment and deportation, he fled to France in 1978 where he couldn’t be extradited. Geimer criticised Tarantino, saying she hopes the director has changed his perspective now. “I’m not upset, but I would probably feel better if he realises now that he was wrong, after 15 years, after hearing the facts,” she said.