“I believe in the courts for the truth to be established. Justice is done. I am innocent and I am sure this will emerge.” Let’s start from the end. Paul Haggis, the Academy Award-winning director of Crash, has ended up at an unscheduled intersection in his life. He was in Italy, in Puglia, to participate in a film festival with other Hollywood stars when the police put handcuffs on his wrists. The accusation is dire: sexual assault. To move it is an English girl who had reached Haggis in Puglia and had spent a few days with him. Haggis has always said he was innocent and that those relationships had been consensual.
The judge of Brindisi, Wilma GIlliwho had ordered her arrest, after having questioned the woman in the probative incident and read the request of the lawyer of Haggis, Michele Laforgia, from the Polis studio, has decided to release him. “Absence of violence and coercion” wrote the judge. “It’s a story that revolves around the concept of consent,” investigators say. “No injury, no sign of violence, no manifestation of dissent, neither in private nor in public: mister Haggis he is absolutely innocent, “says the lawyer Laforgia who, for now, has pulled him out of this hell. The prosecutor has appealed the judge’s decision.” As is evident, we cannot talk about what is the subject of the trial. I have great respect for the court, “he says Haggis, the sneakers under a black jacket, the firm handshake. “Today there is a beautiful light”.
Mr Haggis, how are you?
“Better now. During the two weeks of house arrest, I always remained calm because I knew I had not committed any crime and I always had faith in justice. Of course, there were difficult times. But I was able to deal with them thanks to the love and support from my family and friends. And the work and support of my lawyer and his team. They have been exceptional. “
You have always pleaded innocent. After listening to the alleged victim, the judge believed his version while the prosecutor continues to uphold his responsibilities. Do you think you made some mistake in what happened? Would he do it all again?
“As I told the judge my first mistake was allowing someone I hardly knew to come and see me. It was nonsense. The second mistake happened on the last morning, when something happened that I found particularly unpleasant and I have decided to end this situation. I took that woman to the airport a few hours before her flight. But, yes, I am angry with myself for these mistakes. But I still cannot understand what led to these false accusations against me. “.
You have been face to face with your accuser in court during the probative incident. What sensations did she feel? Those who met the lady on the morning of the complaint said that she was very shaken and tried. Has he had a thought for you these days?
“I would prefer not to talk about the lady who accused me. The investigation is still ongoing, and I think it is right to show the utmost respect for the magistrates. I can only say that I agree with the conclusions reached by Judge Gilli on the version of my accuser. I honestly don’t see any plausible reason why a person genuinely interested in a relationship doesn’t use her real name. , she always seemed very prepared, as if she had rehearsed. Far from being fragile or subjugated, as she said “.
What impact has it had with the Italian justice system? Did you feel guaranteed?
“The Italian judicial system seemed efficient to me. In just two weeks the judge reached a clear conclusion. However, there are some things I cannot understand: how is it possible that in your country you can start a process even when the accusation is not corroborated by hard evidence. It seems strange and unfair to me that innocent people can be tried for years. A person’s reputation is built in a lifetime, but can be destroyed in a minute, even by a completely unfounded accusation like this”.
You have been accused of sexual offenses both in America and in Italy. Do you think you have a problem with women?
“I have been working in theater, television and film for over forty years and have collaborated, literally, with thousands of women. I have been married twice and have a fantastic son and three daughters, two of whom are married to incredible women. I have had relationships. and great friendships with dozens of women. No one has ever gone to the police or a prosecutor to report me, in any country. No, I have no problems with women. “
The accusation in Italy came after a civil lawsuit filed in the United States for a similar affair: in both situations he said he was innocent. Did you then ask yourself the reason for these accusations?
“Obviously I have asked myself and I wish I could comment on that civil case, but unfortunately I am still bound by a court order that obliges me not to disclose any evidence or information that I have learned. In any case, no woman in the United States has reported me. , it was I who contacted the Prosecutor’s Office. Instead, I was asked for nine million dollars in exchange for silence on a one-night consensual relationship, which took place five years earlier. “.
By the way: someone in recent weeks has remembered his difficult relationship with Scientology. Why did he get out of it?
“It would take too long to explain it: I slowly came to realize that Scientology it was, in fact, deeply corrupt. Maybe I should have understood it much earlier, but I certainly could no longer defend it or be a part of it. “
When she came out, she had the courage to tell her experience in a documentary that shocked the United States and, later, in a long interview with New Yorker. Do you think there could be a relationship with what happened to you?
“I have no evidence but from what I learned from Scientology, I know they are capable of anything. If you speak out against them, they will use any means to destroy your reputation, your career and your family. “
The lawsuit in the United States, as you yourself said, caused her major problems at work even though there was no conviction or criminal trial. What is Hollywood’s relationship with these stories?
“I waited five years to clear my name in the civil case. Recently, finally, I was able to get two jobs as a screenwriter. When I was arrested in Italy, I lost both of them.”
You are an award-winning director and screenwriter. You have written memorable films. Have you ever had the feeling of being at the center of a bad script? If she really was a movie, how would she get out of such a situation?
“In fiction, you only know a character’s heart when he is under terrible pressure. I believe this is also true in real life. I have always tried to behave with dignity and I believe in the courts, so that the truth is established. And justice is done. “.