Film

‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ Star Applauded For Walking Out After Roman Polanski Wins Top Award

'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' star Adele Haenel left the ceremony while ironically applauding Polanski, saying, 'Bravo pedophile.'

by Joseph Earp  1 March 2020
Roman Polanski and Adele Haenel

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Key members of the cast and crew of acclaimed modern classic Portrait of a Lady On Fire walked out of the Cesar Awards, the top film awards in France, after Roman Polanski was awarded Best Director for his film J’Accuse.

Polanski, director of films like Chinatown and The Pianist, was arrested in 1977 for the sexual assault of a 13-year-old minor by the name of Samantha Gailey. He fled the country rather than face trial, alleging at the time that the judge presiding over the case could “no longer be trusted.”

Since then, Polanski has been unable to return to the United States. Gailey told press in 2011 that media and the case’s judge caused “more damage to me than anything that Roman Polanski has ever done.”

J’Accuse, Polanski’s new film, concerns a falsely accused man trying to clear his name.

Polanski was not present at the Cesar Awards, but merely his nomination was enough to prompt massive riots on the red carpet.

As Polanski’s name was read out at the ceremony, the star of Portrait of a Lady On Fire, Adele Haenel, stormed from the venue. She was followed by the film’s director, Celine Sciamma.

As Haenel left the venue, she sarcastically clapped, and exclaimed, “Bravo pedophilia!”

Since her walk-out, Haenel has been praised for her actions, with the hashtag #MerciAdeleHaenel trending online.

There are currently no plans to theatrically release Polanski’s J’Accuse anywhere but France.