Director, wanted in US over child rape in 1970s, to skip ceremony in which his film about anti-Semitic affair is the favorite, saying 'we know how this evening will unfold already'

Decision comes two weeks before award ceremony; director fugitive from US for 4 decades over rape conviction

Head of France's film academy says it 'should not take moral positions' when evaluating movies, prompting outcry that award could go to director wanted in US for statutory rape

Defying calls for boycott of 'An Officer and a Spy,' hundreds of thousands flock to see movie about anti-Semitic persecution of French Jewish army officer Alfred Dreyfus