Los Angeles (dpa) - German-American actress Diane Kruger backedQuentin Tarantino on Tuesday, despite heavy criticism surroundingallegations the US director assaulted Uma Thurman and the uncoveringof an old interview in which he seemed to defend Roman Polanski'srape of a 13-year-old girl decades ago.
"This is an important moment in time and my heart goes out to Uma andanyone who has ever been the victim of sexual assault and abuse,"Kruger, who worked with Tarantino on 2009's "Inglourious Basterds,"wrote on Instagram. She added that working with him was "pure joy."
Tarantino apologized on Monday for a car crash Thurman suffered whilefilming part two of "Kill Bill." It left her with permanent neck andknee injuries.
"It's the biggest regret of my life, getting her to do that stunt,"Tarantino told Deadline.
"Quentin Tarantino, was deeply regretful and remains remorseful aboutthis sorry event, and gave me the footage years later," Thurman, whosaid she did not want to do the stunt, had posted on Instagram eprior to the Deadline piece's publication.
The crash left her feeling "disempowered," she told the New YorkTimes.
Thurman told the newspaper about the accident and also alleged HarveyWeinstein assaulted her.
Weinstein, who has been accused by multiple women of harassment andrape over several decades, has denied any allegations ofnon-consensual sex.
Tarantino also found himself in hot water over a 13-year-old HowardStern interview which resurfaced on Monday.
"He didn't rape a 13-year-old. It was statutory rape...he had sexwith a minor. That's not rape," Tarantino said about Roman Polanskiin interview extract published by Jezebel.
Polanski pleaded guilty in California in 1977 to unlawful sexualintercourse with a 13-year-old girl, but fled to Europe in 1978before his sentencing.
