Polanski Says Thanks

After becoming the biggest shock of Oscar night by carrying off the Best Director gong, Roman Polanski has expressed his thanks to the Academy. Unable to set foot in the States for fear of arrest after his 1978 conviction of having sex with a minor, Polanski released a statement from his home in France after being awarded an Oscar for his semi-autobiographical movie, The Pianist. "I am deeply moved to be rewarded for the work which relates to the events so close to my own life, the events that led me to comprehend that art can transform pain. I believe this still holds true today," he said. "My most heartfelt thanks to the members of the Academy for this wonderful award." And according to the Academy, Polanski should expect his Oscar in the post any time now.