Debate Erupts Over Sundance Film Rape Scene and Child Actress
Possible Charges of Child Porn Dog "Hounddog" for Use of 12-year-old Actress Dakota Fanning
Fanning plays a 12-year-old waif named Lewellen who is a fan of Elvis Presley (hence the title "Hounddog"). In the film, Fanning's character lives a lonely and abusive existence among a group of similarly damaged characters.
The forum panel was a first for Sundance and included stars Dakota Fanning and Robin Wright Penn and producer Deborah Kempmier. A representative from the national group RAINN, Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network was also present to answer questions. The Catholic League has already publicly criticized the film and demanded a federal investigation of its content as possible child pornography.
The Sundance FIlm Festival, founded by legendary actor Robert Redford, has screened many controversial films. Sundance was founded to give true independent filmmakers a venue to show their work. No statement was available from Redford about the issue.
Fanning, who gave interviews prior to the official premier of the film, did not understand why there was so much uproar about the situation. In response to a question posed by the New York Times last week she stated:"...The bottom line was, I couldn't not do it. It's all I could think about. I know I'm the perfect age....I feel I should be able to do what I think at the time is right for me."
Child rape itself is not a new theme in the movies or on television. The controversy surrounds the fact that a 12-year-old actress appeared to make the decision on her own about a scene with very adult content. She was not body-doubled for the scene by an older actress.
In further discussion, the movie's supporters asserted that authorities should be chasing down real perpetrators of child pornography, or demanding stronger legislation to protect children, not obsessing over one scene in a film.
Catholic League president, William Donahue, who first raised the alarm and appears to be the most fervent critic, has not seen the film. His response is based, admittedly, on what he has been told by others.
"Hounddog" was written and directed by Deborah Kempmier. It is the story of a troubled young girl in the Amercian south who finds refuge in the music of Elvis Presley.
Published by Mary DeBerry
I draw on a variety of work & life experiences for my writing. Careers include: PBS Producer, PR, Educational Manager, Movie & Theater Reviewer, Communications Manager, Filmmaker. View profile
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- Dakota Fanning is twelve years old and was used as the victim in a film's rape scene.
- The contentious issue is that the young actress was not body-doubled by an actress of legal age.
- Fanning stated that she did not feel used or exploited and wanted to do the scene.
44 Comments
Post a CommentI haven't seen the movie but from what I hear, all you see is her head, her arm, and her leg and flashes of light. They didn't really even stimulate the scene. In another scene she is in underroos and a tank top, which shows as much skin as if she were in a one peice bathing suit or wearing a two-piece like many girls her age do. I don't understand the outrage. I think she's a marvelous actress and a very mature, down-to-Earth little girl who deserves a lot more credit than she is getting.
I haven't seen the movie, but I don't see the huge deal here. It is a movie. Dakota is an actress. They act. It is not as if she was actually raped, and if she was fine and comfortable with doing the scene, and her parents agreed, than I don't see the big deal. Dakota is a good actress, if she became uncomfortable doing the scene, than she could have stopped. Its the actresses choice, and her parents.
Just as an aside: most of my information came on the 22nd very late at night, directly from a source I have at the Sundance festival. I posted on the 23rd and it was moved to the main page on the 24th.
Patricia S. yes-there are a couple of typos I can't believe I missed or the AC people missed.
You raise great issues about why people don't talk about it so it won't happen again (regarding the principal). It is a horribly traumatic, damaging, brain altering experience in which the victim feels great shame and guilt. As a society we need to work harder on helping victims and educating the public in order to break the cycle.
I cant say I sit on one side of the fence or the other, I CAN SAY that there a few things not mentioned here. I originally read the article at CBS news before reading it on AC and it stated that her mother was on set during the filming, and that there was no actual rape seen. It was more of an implied shoot, such as a zipper being pulled down, hands, and gasps, not the acutal viewing of a child being supposidly raped. Whether its true, I dont know because I havent seen the film, but I find it odd that the people who are screaming for the film maker to face justice havent either.
(And oh, I added the part of the filmmakers' integrity. I don't know if she said anything about that or not.)
typo: Serious long-term effects.
This is interesting because the day before I saw this on the AC main page, I had submitted an opinion article about this issue. Good topic, I guess.
As a filmmaker, it's the actress' decision to determine what she is comfortable doing. For child actresses, the parents must also agree with the decision due to contract guidelines.
As a feminist, I can see the debate about rape simulation. Because it is such a traumatic event, even a pretend act could potentially have serious long-term events, especially on a 12-year old.
But I do tend to agree with a statement made by director Deborah Kampmeier in an interview that appeared in Premiere magazine -- to question the methods of filmmaking and insinuate that Dakota was violated during the process is a detriment to her acting ability and the integrity of the filmmakers.
I believe the word is spelled "violate". Certainly a very provocative article on an even more provocative subject. The principal of my oldest daughter's Catholic high school was himself the subject of sexual abuse as a child by a priest. He is now currently the focus of an investigation in which the principal is accused of diverting over $300,000 in school funds to his personal account. The connection between his sexual abuse as a child and his alleged stealing from the high school ... is there a connection? Why don't people talk about these things?!!! Why are we afraid to admit that they happen so something can be done to prevent these things from happening over and over and over again...?!
Great Job....I'm against the scene myself. I agree with Manda. A scene like that should only be implied or mentioned, but not seen.