Yet perhaps the most effective tactic of all is success. Case in point: Roman Polanski. Thanks to his Oscar nod for The Pianist (star Adrien Brody also earned a nomination), the exiled director has gained industry support to attend the awards. ''Henry Ford said, 'Americans forget,''' says former publicist Dan Klores, who negotiated Grant's guesting as a rep for Jay Leno, and, more recently, handled P. Diddy's gun charge scandal in 2001. ''And in show business, nothing makes one forgive and forget better than a hit.'' Even Polanski's victim, Samantha Geimer, now 38, has gone public, writing in a Feb. 23 Los Angeles Times op-ed column: ''I believe Mr. Polanski and his film should be honored according to the quality of the work.'' Come curtain call, the glare of the spotlight can be unexpectedly forgiving. ''He's a master,'' offers director Martin Scorsese, himself nominated for Gangs of New York. ''It's not up to me, but it would be wonderful if he could be part of these ceremonies. I'm a great fan of his.'' Just one problem: The authorities aren't likely to be equally generous. The L.A. district attorney has said Polanski will be arrested if he returns. Some people will neither forgive nor forget. (Additional reporting by Sumeet Bal, William Keck, and Kimberly Reyes)
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