Creepy little genius.

It’s hard to process how one feels about Polanski. Raping a 13-year old inspires disgust, his mother being murdered by Nazis and his pregnant wife murdered by the Manson cult inspires pity, and his filmmaking prowess inspires awe.

Disgust, pity, awe. Is there any other public figure who commands these emotions? A scarred and twisted genius.

I think he should have faced whatever punishment he was due to receive for, what even he admits to being, sex with a 13 year old. Then there could be some kind of closure, a sense of penance paid, and he could have continued making great movies in the US, without this issue constantly hanging over him.

Much like Lars Von Trier, Polanski is able to get under your skin with movies that draw you in and never quite let go. You feel like having a shower after his films because you’ve seen the worst of human nature, but something rings true about his observations and you’re compelled to go back for more.