Roman Polanski

Early life and education

Polanski was born to Polish parents in Paris and spent his childhood in Poland. He survived the Nazi occupation and the Holocaust as a young boy, an experience that later informed themes of loss, exile and survival in his films. He trained in Poland's film school system before beginning his professional career in the 1950s and 1960s.

Career and notable films

Polanski's work ranges from psychological thrillers to period dramas. He is known as a meticulous director who often also serves as a producer and screenwriter on his projects. Key films include:

• Early international breakthrough films from the 1960s that attracted critical attention
• Psychological horror and suspense pieces that established his reputation in English-language cinema
• The wartime survival drama The Pianist, which brought renewed acclaim in the early 2000s

Style, themes and influence

Polanski's films frequently focus on characters under psychological strain, the fragility of ordinary life and the intrusion of violence or paranoia into domestic spaces. His formal approach blends classical craftsmanship with unsettling compositions, and he has influenced filmmakers interested in mood, pacing and atmosphere rather than spectacle.

Controversy and legal matters

Polanski's career has been overshadowed by a criminal case from 1977 in the United States. He pleaded guilty to unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor but left the U.S. before formal sentencing; he has since avoided jurisdictions where he might face extradition. This unresolved legal history has affected festival screenings, professional relationships and public discussion of his work.

Recognition and legacy

Despite controversy, Polanski has been honoured by many film institutions and critics for his contributions to cinema, receiving awards across Europe and North America and maintaining a complex legacy as a major figure in 20th- and 21st-century film. His body of work continues to be studied for its craft, themes and impact on international filmmaking.