Roman Polanski and Hollywood: Boycott Revenge

Roman Polanski's arrest in Switzerland as US authorities seek to extradite him back to California to serve his sentence on child rape charges has outraged Hollywood. Not at the rape of a thirteen year old girl. Or justice evaded and thus denied. No, the Hollywood Luminaries are outraged that "a man of Polanski's talent" is sitting in a jail cell. The full list, including Harrison Ford, Natalie Portman, Mike Nichols, Jeremy Irons, Neil Jordan, and others, is here. Harvey Weinstein notes that Hollywood has the best moral compass because of its compassion and fundraising efforts. As blogger Patterico (real name Patrick Frey, an LA Assistant District Attorney) notes, this claim has not gone unchallenged. This is par for the course, from polygamy friendly Big Love to excuses for Polanski's sexual relationship with then 15-year old Natassia Kinsky, Hollywood is a different place. One alien to most Americans, who don't think the rape and sodomy of a thirteen year old is acceptable, just because the perpetrator is "cool" and is believed talented by "important people in Hollywood."

But the audience has a choice. A boycott. Of notable names of the signers and just as importantly, their employers. Among them, Wes Anderson, who is one of the prominent signers of the "Free Roman Polanski" petition. Writer-Director Anderson, has a children's movie, The Fantastic Mr. Fox being released in November by Fox Animation Studios.


For those who find Hollywood's endorsement of child rape outrageous, from Whoopi Goldberg's "it's not rape-rape" comment on the View to the Huffington Post advocacy for Polanski to Hollywood Elsewhere's David Wells fawning advocacy for Polanski, there is a weapon at hand.

Boycott.

Specifically, a boycott of any movie, television show, or production involving the signers. Just as importantly, send a letter to the studios which financed and released the projects detailing just why you as a consumer will not patronize firms advocating or employing advocates for child rape. Studios not only need to know they won't be getting your money, they need to know why. Which is that they endorsed (by employing Anderson and Huston) child rape.

In this spirit, I strongly advocate that those outraged by this fawning advocacy for Polanski not see "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" and write to Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp at the following address detailing (politely) why you will not be seeing their film "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" given its director (and star Anjelica Huston) signed a petition advocating the release of a convicted child rapist. Even better, would be for those outraged to add their boycott of the company's future projects given its moral failings so outrageous that it shocks the conscience of all decent people. The full mailing address is below:

Twentieth Century Fox Film Corp
Mail: P.O. Box 900,
Beverly Hills, California 90213

Phone: 310-277-2211
Fax: 310-203-1558

The primary Press Contact is:

Chris Petrikin
SVP of Corporate Communications
Phone: 310-369-4781
Fax: 310-369-8825

Money is not rolling into Hollywood coffers anymore. Studios cannot afford to alienate customers. A boycott making "The Fantastic Mr. Fox" a gigantic bomb, and Wes Anderson box office poison, would at least put the fear of the audience into Hollywood. They've certainly lost the fear of anything else.

A later post will detail just why Hollywood's elite became so deranged, debauched, and debased, but at least the economic downturn gives the audience its revenge. Boycott.