New Documentary on Roman Polanski May Have Some Effect On His Fate

The new documentary Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired, which has caused a stir in artistic circles, is now agitating legal circles as well. Mr. Polanski, a noted director, and his attorney, Douglas Dalton, are asking the L. A. District Attorney’s office to consider the information presented in the film, and perhaps recommend some kind of remedy in Mr. Polanski’s case. He was convicted of statutory rape in 1978 and was awaiting sentencing when he fled the country for France, where he has lived ever since. Mr. Polanski and his attorney thought an agreement had been reached on the matter of sentencing; instead, the judge appeared to have changed his mind at the last minute. The film advances a theory to explain the change of mind. The New York Times discusses this twist in Mr. Polanski’s fortunes in an article in today’s issue.