Most cinemagoers have heard of the name of Roman Polanski.  Polanski has made the arguably best horror film ever – ROSEMARY’S BABY together with a slew of other art hits like KNIFE IN THE WATER, THE FEARLESS VAMPIRE KILLERS and his latest THE PIANIST which won him an Academy Award for best director in 2002.  But this documentary traces his trail for the rape of a minor and subsequent escape from the U.S.

The question is that do we really care after all these years?  To director Zenovich’s credit, she makes us (care).  Polanski is showed as an innocent genius Polish immigrant unaware of the laws of the U.S. regarding minors.  After being arrested, Zenovich’s documents his unfair treatment under the hands of one biased media seeking judge and his eventual escape to France where he is treated as a celebrity.

Zenovich edits and puts newsreel footage and interviews well.  Interviewees include actors of Polanski’s past films like Mia Farrow but most importantly, the former now retired prosecuting D.A. Roger Gunson and the then Defense Attorney Douglas Dalton.  It all seems as if the events occurred yesterday.  There is even an interview of the accused mother who now forgives Polanski for what he has done.  Whether Polanski is guilty (or not) is not really dealt with in detail as this is not Zenovich’s concern.  Her aim is to show how injustice is done on Polanski.  Brilliantly, she slowly but effectively reveals him too as a conniving creep.

Footage of Polanski’s past classics like CHINATWON and ROSEMARY’S BABY are inserted to tie in art imitating life.  Though this tactic does not really work, it is still a pleasure to see Polanski at his best.  At one point in the film, Polanski is quoted as saying that the way to get a message across in a film is to show how injustice is carried out and leave the audience angry.  Zenovich follows his advice, crafting an informative and interesting documentary while leading her audience to where she wants us to be in terms of sympathy and opinion.