A forthcoming cinematic project promises to reframe one of Hollywood's most infamous and enduring scandals by centring the narrative on the young victim whose life was irrevocably altered by the events. The film, titled The Girl, will draw directly from the 2013 memoir of Samantha Geimer, providing a long-overdue platform for her personal account of the statutory rape case involving acclaimed director Roman Polanski.
A Story of Reclamation and Resilience
In a powerful statement, Geimer herself has reflected on the profound impact of seeing her traumatic experience reinterpreted through an artistic lens. "This story has been a lifelong burden for all of us involved," she revealed. "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." This sentiment underscores the film's core mission: to restore agency and voice to a figure historically overshadowed by media sensationalism and the notoriety of the perpetrator.
Shifting the Narrative Focus
The project marks the feature writing and directing debut for French-American filmmaker Marina Ziolkowski, whose previous short film 19 earned a César nomination in 2021. Ziolkowski was deeply moved by Geimer's memoir, particularly by what she describes as the "voice – clear, courageous, and long erased from the public narrative." She emphasises that this film is not about Roman Polanski; rather, it is a deliberate act of narrative reclamation. "Told entirely through Samantha's memories and inner life, the film restores her agency and complexity," Ziolkowski stated.
The official logline confirms this intimate approach, framing the story as a revisitation of "one of Hollywood's most notorious scandals through the eyes of the person most misrepresented by it." It details how, as the case exploded into a global media frenzy, Samantha and her mother were thrust into a relentless storm of paparazzi and public scrutiny, stripped of privacy at a moment of profound vulnerability.
Historical Context and Casting
The film will trace Geimer's experiences in the 1970s, including her time within Polanski's social circle, the sexual assault itself, and the chaotic aftermath. In 1977, Polanski, then aged 43, was arrested and charged with statutory rape and a lewd act with a child. He subsequently pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse as part of a plea bargain but fled to France in 1978 after serving just 42 days in jail, remaining a fugitive from US justice ever since.
Bringing the Story to Life
A talented young cast has been assembled to portray the key figures. The pivotal role of the 13-year-old Samantha will be played by American-Ukrainian newcomer Carolyn Kachen, selected after what producers called a "striking audition that signals a breakout talent." Kachen's theatre background includes roles in productions of Annie and Matilda. Her parents, Susan and Bob Geimer, will be portrayed by Dree Hemingway and Gore Abrams, respectively.
The production, notable as one of the few European projects to secure a US tax credit, is scheduled to commence filming in Los Angeles later this year.
A Legacy of Allegations and Legal Battles
While Geimer has since forgiven Polanski and maintained occasional contact, the director's legacy remains marred by multiple other allegations. Between 2017 and 2019, four other women came forward with accusations of abuse from the 1970s, three of whom were minors at the time. These include artist Marianne Barnard, who alleged she was assaulted at age ten. In 2010, British actor Charlotte Lewis accused Polanski of sexually assaulting her in 1983 when she was 16.
Polanski, now 92, has consistently denied all allegations beyond the Geimer case. Recent legal developments saw a French court acquit him of defaming Lewis in May 2024 after he denied raping her. Furthermore, a separate lawsuit concerning an alleged 1973 assault of a 16-year-old was dismissed in October 2024 following a confidential settlement.
The Girl thus arrives at a cultural moment where the re-examination of historical abuse cases and the amplification of victims' voices are more pertinent than ever. By focusing on Samantha Geimer's perspective, the film seeks to confront how power, myth, and media distortion can erase a child's truth, while ultimately honouring her remarkable resilience and journey towards reclaiming her own story.
