Thinking of people like Pollanski, Woody Allen, Bill Cosby or Kevin Spacey.
Don't think that I can offer a rock solid answer to this issue myself. It has to be on a case by case basis. Woody is by far my favorite of these four examples, and I think if Woody has done the things he is accused of (molestation or worse of a minor) he should have to serve whatever sentence he has been accused of. If he were able to avoid this because of his position in society, it would be a tragedy. The question of his guilt or innocence is certainly clouded because of Mia and Dylan Farrow's accusations; however, many (including myself) have doubts about Mia's accusations, and what she may have said to their step-children. In short (too late) Woody needs to have more than accusations against him to determine his guilt.
What if he is proven to be guilty? Take the case of Bill Cosby, who had a number of accusers along with a conviction that will probably see him stay in prison for a long time. Does that take away from the characters he created? Huxtable, Fat Albert and the Gang, etc... I don't think so. I despise what Cosby did, but despite what Cosby did, he still created some good art. I can see hating Cosby, but I don't see why that makes me hate The Cosby Show or Fat Albert.
I have not considered all the issues, so jump in and say if you agree or disagree. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anyone's guilt or innocence, I am just saying that is a person so intertwined with their art that you cannot view the two separately?
Don't think that I can offer a rock solid answer to this issue myself. It has to be on a case by case basis. Woody is by far my favorite of these four examples, and I think if Woody has done the things he is accused of (molestation or worse of a minor) he should have to serve whatever sentence he has been accused of. If he were able to avoid this because of his position in society, it would be a tragedy. The question of his guilt or innocence is certainly clouded because of Mia and Dylan Farrow's accusations; however, many (including myself) have doubts about Mia's accusations, and what she may have said to their step-children. In short (too late) Woody needs to have more than accusations against him to determine his guilt.
What if he is proven to be guilty? Take the case of Bill Cosby, who had a number of accusers along with a conviction that will probably see him stay in prison for a long time. Does that take away from the characters he created? Huxtable, Fat Albert and the Gang, etc... I don't think so. I despise what Cosby did, but despite what Cosby did, he still created some good art. I can see hating Cosby, but I don't see why that makes me hate The Cosby Show or Fat Albert.
I have not considered all the issues, so jump in and say if you agree or disagree. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anyone's guilt or innocence, I am just saying that is a person so intertwined with their art that you cannot view the two separately?