In a shocking twist that could only happen in the glittering world of cinema, a Paris court has ruled that silence is indeed golden, especially when it comes from famed director Roman Polanski. The 91-year-old filmmaker has been officially cleared of defamation charges brought against him by British actor Charlotte Lewis, who accused him of libel after alleging he raped her in 1983. Because apparently, what happens in Paris stays in Paris—unless you're in a courtroom. The French appeals court decided to uphold the lower court's ruling from May, leaving many to wonder if the judge had taken an extended lunch break during the proceedings. After all, when dealing with a case involving a 91-year-old man and a 57-year-old accusation, who wouldn’t want to savor a quiche over a verdict? Lewis, who clearly believed her words could elicit a more memorable reaction than a Hollywood blockbuster, appealed the original ruling with all the enthusiasm of a starlet trying to promote her latest film—no one really asking for a sequel, but here we are. The court confirmed that the focus was solely on the defamation charge, leaving untouched the more curious aspects of the alleged incident: a decades-old accusation involving a director known for his ability to keep audiences on the edge of their seats. In a statement that could serve as a script for a soon-to-be-forgotten indie film, Polanski expressed his relief at the verdict but did not clarify whether or not he plans to make a documentary on the merits of staying quiet when facing accusations. Meanwhile, the shadows that have lingered around his legacy continue to grow longer, creating an ambiance perfect for a noir thriller. As critics dissect this courtroom drama, conversations in the coffee shops of Paris will undoubtedly turn to other pressing matters. After all, with this verdict settling the defamation charges, who needs a compelling story arc when you can just pretend that nothing ever happened and continue sipping espresso like it’s 1983? In the grand tradition of cinematic endings, let us all raise a toast to the art of silence—after all, it may just be the best reaction we’ve seen from anyone in this narrative since the credits rolled on Polanski’s last foray into public controversy.