Topless protesters disrupt showing of Polanski film

PARIS: Protesters have disrupted the opening of a retrospective of Roman Polanski’s work in Paris following new rape allegations against the French-Polish film director.

Some 80 protesters outside the Cinematheque Francaise, which is showcasing Polanski’s films next month, banged on windows and carried posters with slogans like “If rape is an art, give Polanski all the (French movie award) Cesars”.

Two members of the Femen group exposed their breasts and shouted “no honours for rapists” at Polanski.

Polanski, who had entered the building through a back entrance, was set to present his new movie Based on a True Story at the event.

Earlier this month, Swiss prosecutors said former German actress and model Renate Langer told authorities that Polanski raped her at his mountain chalet in 1972 when she was 15 years old.

Langer is one of four women who have publicly accused Polanski, 84, of sexually assaulting them when they were teenagers.

The allegations predate the film mogul Harvey Weinstein sexual harassment scandal.

Polanski, director of classic films like Rosemary’s Baby, The Pianist and Carnage, had fled US sentencing in 1978 for unlawful sex with 13-year-old Samantha Geimer in 1977 in a case where he pleaded guilty at the time. — Reuters

— AP Showing their displeasure: French feminist groups protesting outside the film institute La Cinematheque Francaise in Paris.