Actresses walk out of french oscars after polanski wins top awards
You're referring to the controversy surrounding Roman Polanski's win at the 2017 César Awards, also known as the French Oscars.
On February 24, 2017, the 42nd César Awards ceremony took place in Paris, France. Roman Polanski, a Polish-French film director, producer, and actor, won the Best Director and Best Film awards for his film "An Officer and a Spy" (J'Accuse). However, the ceremony was marred by controversy when several actresses walked out in protest of Polanski's win.
Polanski has been a fugitive from the United States since 1978, when he fled the country to avoid serving a 90-day prison sentence for unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor, Samantha Geimer, who was 13 years old at the time. Despite his fugitive status, Polanski has continued to work in the film industry and has received numerous awards and accolades, including several César Awards.
The actresses who walked out of the ceremony included Adèle Haenel, a French actress who had been a vocal critic of Polanski's actions, as well as several other actresses who were part of the #MeToo movement. They left the ceremony in protest of Polanski's win, citing his history of sexual misconduct and the fact that he was still being honored by the French film industry despite his fugitive status.
The controversy surrounding Polanski's win sparked a heated debate about the film industry's treatment of sexual predators and the need for accountability and justice for survivors of sexual assault. The incident also highlighted the ongoing tensions between the #MeToo movement and the film industry, which has been criticized for its handling of sexual misconduct allegations and its continued support for accused perpetrators.
In the aftermath of the controversy, several French filmmakers and actors publicly criticized Polanski's win, and some called for him to be stripped of his awards. The incident also led to a renewed focus on the need for greater accountability and transparency in the film industry, as well as a greater commitment to supporting survivors of sexual assault and promoting a culture of consent and respect.