The Paris court has acquitted director Roman Polanski of defaming British actor Charlotte Lewis, who accused him of raping her when she was a teenager. The 90-year-old filmmaker had told Paris Match magazine in 2019 that Lewis had lied about the sexual assault.
Lewis, now 56, brought the case against Polanski, claiming she had been the victim of a “smear campaign” that nearly destroyed her. Despite the court’s verdict in favor of Polanski, Lewis has stated that she will appeal the decision.
The judges found that Polanski’s comments were a “value judgement about the fickle character of the plaintiff” and did not impugn her honor or respect. They highlighted a significant gap between Lewis’s previous admiration for the director and her later denunciation of their relationship.
Polanski, who fled the United States in 1978 after admitting to having sex with a 13-year-old girl, has faced multiple accusations of abuse from other women. He denies all claims against him.
In 2010, Lewis accused Polanski of assaulting her when she was 16 in Paris, where she had traveled for a casting. Despite appearing in his film “Pirates” in 1986, Lewis claimed she was a victim of the director’s abuse.
Polanski, known for films such as “Chinatown” and “The Pianist,” has evaded extradition attempts by US authorities due to his French and Polish citizenship. The controversy surrounding him continues to spark debate and legal battles.
