Fact check: At the 75th academy awards the attendees gave a standing ovation to a convicted sex offender, who molested a child and then fled justice.

1. Summary of the results

1. Summary of the results:

The statement refers to Roman Polanski receiving the Best Director Oscar for "The Pianist" at the 75th Academy Awards in 2003. Leading Hollywood figures, including Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, and Jack Nicholson, gave him a standing ovation despite his absence. Polanski had previously pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a 13-year-old girl in 1978 and fled the United States to avoid imprisonment.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints:

• The cultural context of Hollywood in 2003 was significantly different from today's post-#MeToo era
• In 2009, over 100 Hollywood figures signed a petition supporting Polanski's release when he was arrested in Switzerland
• Multiple additional women have since come forward with sexual assault allegations against Polanski
• The Academy eventually expelled Polanski in 2018, showing a shift in Hollywood's stance
• Some celebrities, like Natalie Portman, have publicly expressed regret for their previous support
• Polanski maintains French and Polish citizenship, which has helped him avoid extradition

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement:

• The statement oversimplifies a complex situation by not acknowledging the significant cultural shift in Hollywood's treatment of sexual assault allegations between 2003 and today
• It doesn't mention that many of the same industry figures who applauded then have since changed their positions or expressed regret
• The statement implies universal support, when even at the time, there were those who opposed celebrating Polanski
• By not naming Polanski specifically, the statement removes important context about his artistic contributions, which some used to justify their support (though this justification has since been widely rejected)