In 2018 it was reported that Oscar-nominated cinematographer Matthew Libatique, who shot films like “Requiem for a Dream,” and “A Star Is Born,” was arrested in Poland for allegedly assaulting a first responder. Now, Libatique is facing four years in prison as he’s scheduled to stand trial in February.
The report comes from The New York Times, who says that Libatique was arrested for getting in a physical altercation with a paramedic in 2018 while attending the EnergaCamerimage Film Festival in Bydgoszcz, Poland. Libatique had allegedly been drinking earlier that night, and following a wave of assault cases against paramedics in Poland, the country’s top law enforcement official, the national Minister of Justice, Zbigniew Ziobro, took an interest in this case. According to the report, Ziobro urged prosecutors to “demand much more severe penalties” in similar cases.
Though Libatique admits he was drinking that night, he now claims he “can remember nothing about his collapse or what followed,” and says he was intentionally drugged. Libatique’s defense lawyer has argued that the government is improperly meddling in the case. Meanwhile, the cinematographer said from his home in Los Angeles, “I’m basically guilty until proven innocent and it scares me,” as he fears extradition back to Poland.
Libatique’s trial is scheduled to start in February, and The New York Times reports that he’s expected to be allowed to testify from the U.S. via video link.
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Matthew Libatique is known for taking risks at the outset of his career, as well as his multiple collaborations with film school friend Darren Aronofsky, which include “Pi,” and “Black Swan.” This year, he shot “Birds of Prey,” and he also worked on the upcoming Ryan Murphy musical “The Prom.” Libatique’s next project is Olivia Wilde‘s sophomore directorial project “Don’t Worry Darling.”