Roman Polanski Publicly Apologizes to Woman He Sexually Assaulted

Director Roman Polanski publicly apologizes to the woman he sexually assaulted 33 years ago in a new documentary that premiered Tuesday at the Zurich Film Festival, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"She is a double victim: my victim and a victim of the press," Polanski, 78, said of Samantha Greimer near the end of the film, Roman Polanski: A Film Memoir.

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Polanski famously fled the United States in 1978 to avoid prosecution after he pleaded guilty to unlawful sex with a minor in 1977 (Greimer was 13 at the time). The documentary was shot while the Oscar-winning director was under house arrest in Switzerland two years ago awaiting possible extradition. (A Swiss judge eventually ruled not to extradite him).

The film premiered almost exactly two years after Polanski was arrested on his way to the festival to receive a lifetime achievement award. He received the honor on Tuesday and thanked everyone who supported him during his incarceration and subsequent eight-month house arrest.

Polanski's next directorial effort, Carnage, arrives in theaters in December.