Roman Polanski Summoned to US Court Over Accusation of Raping a Minor in 1970S

Filmmaker Roman Polanski tells reporters he can “breath with relief” after a Polish judge ruled that the law forbids his extradition to the U.S., where in 1977 he pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor, in Krakow, Poland, on Oct. 30, 2015. AP Photo/Jarek Praszkiewicz

Roman Polanski, the acclaimed filmmaker currently entangled in legal battles, faces yet another trial, this time in the United States, for alleged sexual assault. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Gloria Allred, disclosed in a recent press conference that Mr. Polanski’s trial is scheduled to commence on Aug. 4, 2025.

Ms. Allred, accompanied by the plaintiff, referred to as Jane Doe, stated that Mr. Polanski, now aged 90, was served legal documents at his residence in Paris, indicating the commencement of proceedings.

The Los Angeles Superior Court set the trial date on March 8, as confirmed by Ms. Allred. Despite Mr. Polanski’s fugitive status from American jurisdiction, Ms. Allred expressed the intention to depose him, albeit acknowledging uncertainties surrounding his participation.

In her lawsuit, Jane Doe accuses the director of raping her at his Los Angeles residence in 1973 after intoxicating her with tequila. Describing the assault in vivid detail, she asserts Mr. Polanski disregarded her pleas during the incident, causing her significant physical and emotional distress over the past five decades.

Mr. Polanski’s legal team, led by attorney Alexander Rufus-Isaacs, vehemently denies the allegations and advocates for a courtroom trial.

Mr. Polanski, renowned for his Oscar-winning film “The Pianist,” has resided in Europe since fleeing the United States over 40 years ago following a conviction for the rape of a 13-year-old girl.

Despite settling with the victim, Samantha Geimer, for over $500,000, Mr. Polanski continues to face legal challenges. Ms. Geimer has expressed a desire to move on from the incident, advocating for closure.

Samantha Geimer arrives at court to attend a hearing regarding a 40-year-old case against filmmaker Roman Polanski in Los Angeles, Calif., on June 9, 2017. Mike Blake/Reuters

Throughout the years, Mr. Polanski has faced multiple accusations of sexual assault from various women. Renate Langer, Marianne Barnard, and Valentine Monnier are among those who have come forward with allegations spanning different decades and locations. Charlotte Lewis accused Mr. Polanski of sexual assault in 1983, leading to an ongoing trial in Paris following Mr. Polanski’s denial of her claims.

Critically scrutinized, Mr. Polanski’s recent film, “The Palace,” premiered at the 2023 Venice Film Festival amidst controversy surrounding the director’s personal life.

Mr. Polanski, whose career spans over six decades, has garnered acclaim for his distinctive cinematic style and storytelling prowess. Born in Paris in 1933 to Polish-Jewish parents, his early life was marked by tragedy, having survived the Holocaust in Poland as a child.

Mr. Polanski rose to prominence in the 1960s with groundbreaking films such as “Knife in the Water” (1962) and “Repulsion” (1965), establishing himself as a master of psychological thrillers. His international breakthrough came with the chilling horror classic “Rosemary’s Baby” (1968), cementing his reputation as a visionary director unafraid to delve into the darkest recesses of the human psyche.

In 1969, tragedy struck Mr. Polanski’s personal life when his pregnant wife, actress Sharon Tate, was brutally murdered by followers of Charles Manson in their Los Angeles home. The horrific event cast a long shadow over his career and left an indelible mark on his artistic expression.

(Left) Polish film director Roman Polanski and American actress Sharon Tate (1943 - 1969) at their wedding. She was subsequently murdered by members of Charles Manson's cult The Family. (Right) Charles Manson, 74, at Corcoran State Prison, Calif., on March 18, 2009. Evening Standard/Getty Images; California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation via Getty Images

Despite the turmoil, Mr. Polanski continued to create critically acclaimed films, including “Chinatown” (1974), a neo-noir masterpiece that remains one of the quintessential works of American cinema.

However, his career took a tumultuous turn in 1977 when he was arrested and charged with the rape of a 13-year-old girl during a photoshoot in Los Angeles.

Despite his legal troubles, Polanski’s artistic output continued unabated, with notable films such as “Tess” (1979), “The Pianist” (2002), and “The Ghost Writer” (2010). “The Pianist” earned him widespread acclaim and numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Director.

Mr. Polanski’s career has been marred by controversy, with allegations of sexual misconduct and assault surfacing over the years. While he has denied many of these accusations, they have cast a shadow over his legacy and sparked ongoing debates about the separation of art from the artist.

In the wake of the #MeToo movement that rocked Hollywood, Mr. Polanski was expelled from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts in 2018.