A letter written by Polish artists in defence of film director Roman Polanski, who faces charges in the US, has stirred a lot of controversy in Poland. 

Film makers including Agnieszka Holland and Andrzej Wajda wrote a letter to President Lech Kaczynski asking him to intervene in the arrest in Switzerland of the 76 year-old Oscar winning director after an international arrest warrant was issued by the US in 2005.

But the appeal from filmmakers has not met with unanimous support from artists in Poland.

“The letter must be some kind of terrible joke,” says Pawel Kukiz, leader of a rock band Piersi.

Kukiz said that he respects Polanski as an artist, but the crime that he committed  – unlawful intercourse with a 13 year-old back in 1977 – is in his opinion, disgusting.

Another rock musician who did not sign the letter asking to pardon Polanski is Zbigniew Holdys.

“Even though Samantha [Geimer] absolved Polanski from his sin, I will not do that,” said Holdys and added that the film maker should face a trial in the US.  

Support for Polanski has also divided Polish politicians. The Law and Justice MEP Marek Migalski in very strong words condemned the Polish film director and his adherents. “If your mate first got your 13-year-old daughter drunk and then have fun with her anus, what would you do? You’re full of sh*t!” wrote Migalski on his blog.

Former Justice Minister Zbigniew Cwiakalski said that from the point of view of Polish law Roman Polanski is a pedophile since he had sex with an under aged girl. “However, Polanski’s case is not all black and white,” admitted Cwiakalski. (mg)