Memoir of Roman Polanski’s rape victim, Samantha Geimer, to be turned into movie
A new film regarding the statutory rape scandal of disgraced filmmaker Roman Polanski has been announced, set to be told from the perspective of his victim, Samantha Geimer.
The plot of The Girl will follow the viewpoint of Geimer, who was 13 years old when the attacks took place. She had previously become closely associated with Polanski in the 1970s and was subsequently sexually abused by him.
The movie is based on Geimer’s 2013 memoir, The Girl: A Life in the Shadow of Roman Polanski, which charted these experiences on top of the media storm that ensued for her after the director was arrested in 1977 on charges of statutory rape and a lewd and lascivious act with a child.
Polanski pled guilty to the former charge in a plea bargain and served 43 days in prison before fleeing to France, where he has remained a fugitive from America ever since.
According to the synopsis for the film released by Deadline, it is said to “revisit one of Hollywood’s most notorious scandals through the eyes of the person most misrepresented by it.”
The logline adds: “As the case erupts across headlines, Samantha and her mother are thrust into a relentless media storm – she’s hounded by paparazzi and stripped of privacy at the moment where she most needs protection. Together, mother and daughter must fight to reclaim Samantha’s voice and preserve what remains of her childhood.”
The film is set to be directed by Marina Ziolkowski, while the roles of Geimer’s parents, Susan and Bob, are set to be played by Dree Hemingway and Gore Abrams.
In addition, the lead role of Geimer is set to be played by 13-year-old newcomer Carolyn Kachen.
Speaking in a statement released with the film announcement, Geimer said: “This story has been a lifelong burden for all of us involved. I never imagined it could be transformed into something beautiful. Marina’s creativity and sensitivity made that possible – and that, to me, is a gift.”
Geimer previously stated that, at the time of the publication of her memoir, she had forgiven Polanski and remained in occasional contact with him.
Filming for The Girl is set to begin in Los Angeles later this year, with further details regarding its wider casting and release yet to be revealed.
Aside from Geimer, between 2017 and 2019, four other women accused Polanski of sexually abusing them when they were children, including the artist Marianne Barnard. In 2010, he was also accused of abusing British actor Charlotte Lewis when she was 16.
Polanski, now aged 92, has repeatedly denied all of these allegations and also settled a lawsuit with an anonymous woman in October 2024, meaning he would not face trial.
For help, advice or more information regarding sexual harassment, assault and rape in the UK, visit the Rape Crisis charity website. In the US, visit RAINN.
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