The Zurich Film Festival received an unexpected international focus in the media when the news of Polanski's arrest became public.

Polanski Le Locataire The tenant

Roman Polanski was arrested september 27th by Swiss police in connection with a 32-year-old sex case at the request of U.S. authorities as the director arrived in the country to receive his award at the Zurich Film Festival. French minister of culture Frederic Mitterand, declared "There is a face of USA that we love, but today America has shown us the worse..."
The festival representatives will comment later.

How safe is it to receive an homage?

The planned "A Tribute to ..." Award ceremony for film maker Roman Polanski will go ahead in his absence. Roman Polanski, one of the greatest film directors of our time would have received an award for his life's achievement at the Zurich Film Festival. However, he was detained by the police upon his entry at Zurich Airport. His detention is linked to the demand by US-authorities to a warrant for his arrest in 1978.

The festival directors have received this news with great consternation and shock. They have decided that the "A Tribute to ... Roman Polanski" night will take place with a few changes.

Here`s the programme of events:
7:30 pm: Beginning of Red Carpet, cinema corso, Theaterstr. 10
8:30 pm: Beginning of ceremony

Speeches:
Nadja Schildknecht
Karl Spoerri
"A Tribute to ... Roman Polanski" film clip (11 minutes)
Followed by the following statements:
-Pierre-Yves Sonalet, French Embassy
-EFA member
-Julia Solomonoff (speaking for the directors of the competition)
Afterwards:
Film screening: "Wanted and Desired" by Marina Zenovich