The documentary "Roman Polanski: Wanted and Desired" is as captivating as they come. 

 

This true story, about the infamous director Polanski, first premiered at the Sundance Film Festival (where it went on to receive positive acclaim) and is now available to HBO subscribers On-Demand.  The praise it earned is rightfully deserved; this is as well crafted a documentary presentation that I have seen in quite a while.

 

Polanski's story is at once heartbreaking and shocking.   His past begins in the Nazi concentration camps, where he and his family suffered many cruelties by  the enemies of humanity during World War II.  This was one of two significant, bleak entries in Polanski's life, the other being the murder of his wife and unborn child, a sickening crime that haunts many to this day.  These two events would be more than anyone could handle and I think the latter, more than the first, is what broke Polanski's psyche at the time.  Indeed, it was not long after his wife's death that he went on to commit a crime of his own, having relations with an underage girl who was 13.

 

The documentary is certainly focused on the case of Polanski and the young girl, but it does an excellent job in laying out the background of the director's life.  Throughout all the details about the trial, of which there were many, the filmmakers were still able to shed enough insight about Polanski to provide a well rounded, objective view of the man.  Further, the piece also does a grand job in getting the key interviews that shed additional clarification about the trial, specifically by the archival and current footage of the Defense Attorney and Prosecutor.  More importantly, we also get to see and hear information about the egocentric judge who presided over the case, a man who cared more about perception than he did justice.  Throw in a great divide between foreign and american press corps, Polanski's partying life style and opinionated views from both sides of the case, than you have the makings of a fiery, swirling pot of filmmaking that is tough to turn away from.

 

Throwing all the hoopla aside, I personally think Polanski did something horrible and should have been punished more severely for his crimes.  That he went on to become an even more popular filmmaker in Europe (after he fled the country) is remarkable. First, I find it surprising that he was accepted so warmly in France to start his new life and second, for the lack of remorse he exhibited toward the incident.  I think the most captivating interview that is shown in the documentary occurs at the restaurant locale (which bookends the film).  In it, Polanski confesses his interests toward younger ladies and it's clear to see that he feels he did nothing wrong.  In fact, he thinks he was led on by the girl. I guess that he gave her wine and drugs is besides the point!

 

Today, it seems that Roman Polanski's crimes has been pardoned by the general population.  That, or it's been mostly forgotten after all this time.  I think what this documentary does best, though, is give a person pause for thought when it comes to this man and his movies.  The next time you stand up and applaud the director's work, you'll have a greater idea of where he has come from and you might be influenced by his past, no matter how great the movie is. 

 

A flawed visionary and a great documentary...don't miss this one.