Polanski: European film is the way forward

Director Roman Polanski is happy to have no part in the US movie scene, as he insists the European film industry is stronger than ever.

Polanski, 72, argues Hollywood was built and is run by European movie moguls anyway, so he has no reason to miss American life.

He says: "Hollywood used to be the mecca (religious centre) of the movies and I had to go through the experience of working there, but when I went to Hollywood I couldn't wait to finish my work and leave.

"When you think of it, the American film industry was virtually created by European filmmakers from its beginnings until now. Mostly Jewish. Even Peter Lorre was Jewish."

Polanski fled the US before he could be sentenced for having sex with a 13-year-old girl in 1978.