"For some strange reason, only good things happen to me in this city," remarked Roman Polanski as he accepted a lifetime-achievement award this week in Warsaw.
The Polish director was being honoured at the European Film Awards, now in its 19th year and seen by many as Europe's answer to the Oscars.
Warsaw's hosting of the award ceremony marked a watershed for the event as it was the first time that it had been held in a former Soviet-bloc country.
Polanski's early life in Poland was marked by tragedy. He escaped from the Nazi's Ghetto in Krakow with the aid of Polish Catholic families, yet his mother perished in a concentration camp.
Polanski had his first stroke of luck in Warsaw aged fourteen, when he won a theatre festival award in the then Soviet-run Poland. Many years later he came back to shoot 'The Pianist', which marked Polanski's comeback as a director.
"It’s a moving moment for me, of course, to receive this award, and particularly to receive it in Warsaw," the 73-year-old director declared.
Many international stars descended on Warsaw for the ceremony, including Penelope Cruz, who scooped Best Actress award for her role in Pedro Almodovar's film 'Volver.' It was a memorable night for Almodovar, who also picked up awards for Best European Director, Peoples Choice and Cinematography.
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