Roman Polanski's rape victim, Samantha Geimer, is releasing a tell-all memoir after 35 years. Geimer, then Gailey, was just 13 when she was drugged and raped by the then 43-year-old director, during a photoshoot in 1977. The book is causing a controversy by using a picture from the infamous photo session for it's cover.
The cover of The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski shows a young girl whose life was about to be forever changed. The aspiring actress no doubt thought she was about to have it all--modeling for one of Hollywood's biggest names in his photoshoot for the French edition of Vouge. This moment was supposed to be the "Once Upon a Time" story she had always dreamed of.
But, the fairytale took a Grimm turn when Polanski presented the would-be-princess with a "poison apple" in the form a wine glass, laced with Quaaludes.
The photo used for the cover was taken by Polanski himself during the first of two private shoots. Geimer was reluctant to do a second shoot after Polanski crossed the line by requesting the minor to pose topless, and required her to hop in the hottub with him during the first shoot. Nevertheless, she ultimately agreed to finish the project.
It was during the second session at the home of actor Jack Nicholson, when Polanski allegedly drugged and raped Geimer. Nicholson was away on vacation and is in no way implemented in the crimes.
The french-born Polanski managed to escape justice by fleeing the country after learning he could’ve faced more than mere probation for his acts. He now lives in France and only travels to countries that will not extradite him back to America. The now 79-year-old director has also continued making flicks, even winning the Academy award in 2002 for his film The Pianist.
The American film community aren't the only people to somewhat forgive Roman. Geimer has stated publicly in the past that she wishes to put the ugly mess behind her, telling the press in 2008:
"I think he's sorry, I think he knows it was wrong. I don't think he's a danger to society. I don't think he needs to be locked up forever and no one has ever come out ever--besides me--and accused him of anything. It was 30 years ago now. It's an unpleasant memory...(but) I can live with it."
She even went on to petition the courts to drop the charges against Polanski in 2009.
Geimer obtained the photos from the session from Polanski's lawyer during a 1998 lawsuit, after they originally overlooked the evidence.
So what do you think? Does the photo exploit the crime or does it appropriately show someone’s last moments before having the innocence ripped from them? Leave your thoughts in the comment field below.
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