How Is The Academy Responding To Roman Polanski’s Lawsuit?

The Academy of Motions Picture Arts & Sciences’ 2018 decision to expel Roman Polanski from its membership has not sat well with the controversial filmmaker.

According to Variety, a suit submitted by Polanski in the state of California in April alleged that the Academy did not follow its established protocols and dismissed evidence when it made its decision to expel the Polish director. Now, in a defense filed on Tuesday, the Academy is arguing that Polanski was given a fair shot to defend his membership and that all due procedures had been followed.

Polanski’s suit alleges that the Academy did not properly consider the evidence submitted in defense of his membership. The Academy’s defense counters that over 400 pages of attorney memos and exhibits, as well as a taped message from Polanksi himself, were considered by the Board of Governor’s before a vote was taken.

“The Academy’s own Bylaws make clear that the Board enjoys broad discretion to expel members for cause and do all other acts necessary or expedient for the administration of the affairs and attainment of the Academy’s mission and purposes,” the lawyers representing the Academy said.

Polanski rose to prominence in the late 1960s and 1970s off the back of hit films like “Rosemary’s Baby” and “Chinatown.” However, in 1978 Polanski was arrested and convicted of drugging and raping 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, but before his sentence could be passed, he fled to France. He has remained there and continued to work ever since.

After the rise of the #MeToo movement in late 2017, many began to confront the Academy on the continued presence of Polanski and other individuals with serious sexual misconduct and assault allegations in the membership. This scrutiny came after disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein was expelled almost immediately after allegations against him surfaced in October 2017. Finally, in April 2018, the Academy’s Board voted to expel Polanski as well as comedian Bill Cosby.