I saw the movie "Chinatown" starring Faye Dunaway and Jack Nicholson for the first time tonight. I was surprised by the content and subject matter of the film. Filmed in 1974, it's ahead of its time for dealing with issues of incest, rape, and domestic violence. It shows the immense courage and strength of women such Faye Dunaway's character in how they cope with their plight.

I was wondering why the movie was titled "Chinatown" and it didn't make sense to me until the end. The final scenes filmed in Los Angeles Chinatown were shocking and tragic, not because of any deaths, but because of the ones left alive. I was saddened that mother and child didn't both die. I was saddened at the fate of the child, at how she's going to live. It hurts me to see that she could repeat the life of her mother.

The movie points out that there's no protecting our loved ones from being hurt, ultimately. Its ending illustrates the futility of our efforts in protecting those we love and cherish against harm. It's a pessimistic view of the world and its evil, corruption, and ugliness that destroys the best of us, the best in us.

I've heard others talk about the racist portrayal of Chinese in "Chinatown." Racist attitudes and comments were in the movie. The Chinese played the role of servants but that was probably the social status of the Chinese during that period in the history of Los Angeles. We have come a long way, but I am sure racism will always be a factor. It was just more overt back then. Though I am aware of the issues of racism in the movie, I still see "Chinatown" as one of the most important film I've seen. Roman Polanski had the courage to tackle difficult issues of violence against women and children and I appreciate his efforts and creative work. Though I am also aware that he is a controversial figure, that he himself is a pertrator of violence against women and children. That's the irony and tragedy of it all.

It's not a leap for Roman Polanski to delve into issues of incest and rape in "Chinatown." The same year that "Chinatown" was filmed, Polanski was charged with rape against a 13-year-old girl, Samantha Geimer. Samantha was the daughter of an actress. The initial charges were rape, suspicion of sodomy, child molestation and furnishing dangerous drugs to a minor. Geimer's mother had hoped that he would help her daughter get into show business. Polanski fled the United States and returned in 1978 to plead guilty to charges. He skipped bail and fled to France.

He's not able to return to the US because he faces sentencing of up to 50 years in jail. Like the police said in the movie, "This is Chinatown." Daddy walks off with the girl, and the police does nothing about it. This is perhaps the same liberty and license that Polanski wants in his life - to do as he wants with girls. Polanski is not in jail, because he is Polanski. Hollywood tolerates him. The business is harbouring a criminal, though I am sure he's not the only one.

Perhaps the movie was autobiographical in ways. We are all drawn to certain work because of their appeal to us, of how the work speaks to us. People's creative genius comes from somewhere, sometimes a darker place than we can ever imagine. "Chinatown" makes more sense to me now that I take into consideration Polanski's personal life, his own illness, crime, and torments. The man proves to be as controversial and intriguing as the movie he directed.