The Roman Polanski Rape Case: Jason O'Toole Talks With Samantha Geimer

Culture
06 Mar 18

She may have wanted to put it behind her many years ago, but Samantha Geimer has been forced to relive, over and over again, the fact that, as a 13 year-old, she was raped by the film director Roman Polanski. Which is why she now wants to take ownership of the narrative and tell everyone what she really feels about Polanski, what he did, the US justice system, the #MeToo movement – and lots more besides – in this world exclusive Hot Press interview.

Samantha Geimer may have been known all her life as simply the girl. But she has no desire for anyone to be coy. She is the 13-year-old who was raped by the much garlanded film director, Roman Polanski.

The rape occurred in 1977. The ensuing court case, which was dubbed the trial of the century at the time, led to a media feeding-frenzy. Now, over forty years later, it has erupted again.

“I’m sex victim girl! That’s my nickname for myself, which everybody hates. I think it’s funny,” Samantha says, as she sits down in her Hawaii home and invites me to pull up a chair to hear her extraordinary story – and her outspoken views on a whole host of trending topics.