There were a lot of walkouts at the French Oscars last night after Roman Polanski won the best director trophy at the annual César Awards.
Adèle Haenel left the room at the 45th César Awards after the filmmaker was recognised for An Officer and a Spy (J’accuse). There were a lot of other walkouts after audience members realised that Polanski won the coveted trophy as evidemced from multiple tweets from the night.
The host of the Césars, Florence Foresti, did not return to the stage after Polanski’s win.
A (“J'accuse”), Adèle Haenel quitte la salle.
Le meilleur des > https://t.co/ipnVwouBeV pic.twitter.com/7xa0CTbU3H
— CANAL+ (@canalplus) February 28, 2020
Haenel denounced the César Awards’ decision to nominate Roman Polanski’s latest film for 12 awards, and told the New York Times that the Awards ceremony was “spitting in the face of all victims.”
Actress Adèle Haenel denounced the César Awards’ decision to nominate Roman Polanski’s latest film for 12 awards:
“Distinguishing Polanski is spitting in the face of all victims”
https://t.co/TDiZ8tDQsP— VANITY FAIR (@VanityFair) February 24, 2020
EuroNews reports that Polanski, 86, is still wanted in the United States more than four decades after he was charged with raping a 13-year-old girl in 1977. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor but fled the US before the sentencing.
On the streets outside where the awards ceremony was held, police resorted to firing tear gas at the protestors in order to disprse the crowd protesting Polanski’s nomination.
Police fired tear gas at protesters outside the #Cesars2020 awards show, where controversial director Roman Polanski's latest film is nominated for 12 awards.
He pleaded guilty to having sex with a minor in 1977 but fled before sentencing. He's been a fugitive since. pic.twitter.com/d007ENohTV
— AJ+ (@ajplus) February 28, 2020
