How Society is Denying Child Rape
The Controversy Surrounding Dakota Fanning Being Featured in Rape Scene
In their focus on the film specifically, they are denying necessary attention to the issue as it is presented in society. It is appalling how a scene that speaks to the truths of child rape is criticized for being too much, when it hardly even touches upon the realities.
The filmmakers have been reprimanded for allowing Fanning to be in this simulated situation, but Fanning herself has stated that she had no qualms filming the scene. The methods taken by the filmmakers did not in any way violate the young actress.
Despite this fact, many people are worried that Fanning will suffer long term consequences of the emotions attached to such difficult scenarios. Because rape, child rape especially, is such a tender issue, it is likewise controversial. It's too bad that someone who has tried to bring light to the problems is being reprimanded.
At twelve years old, Fanning has played roles in over a dozen films, and felt she was now ready for this challenge. With the support of her parents, she signed on to the film. Throughout her career, Fanning has won at least ten awards for performances in I am Sam, War of the Worlds, Nine Lives, Hide and Seek, and Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story. She is currently the youngest member of the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
The integrity of the filmmakers is being questioned in this controversy. Deborah Kampmeier, the film's director, has responded to the negative remarks about the film by stating the insinuation that Fanning was violated during the filming of this scene denies the immense talent she possesses.
Hounddog has been in the media for this particular scene since the last day of filming ended on July 26, 2006. The attention has recently surged due to its release at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22, 2006.
What is most bothersome about the film is the negative reaction of the public, most of whom have not even seen the film. Despite this fact, there are already petitions and groups trying to ban the release of the film or at least organize pickets against it.
Those who have actually seen the film know that Fanning is not nude in the scene, although she appears to be so due to her wearing a skin-colored body suit. Sources have also stated that actual viewers have commented that the scene in question is not sexually graphic.
So why the big fuss? The only reason people would picket the film is that they are not ready to focus on the issue of child abuse as a certainty of society.
The main thing to remember is that Dakota Fanning accepted the part knowingly after having fully read the script. She was ready to tackle this problem. Why isn't the public?
Published by J Gorman
A recent graduate from Penn State University, J. Gorman is currently working for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. View profile
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2 Comments
Post a CommentI applaud Dakota for being up to the challenge of playing such a difficult part. I only saw one film that had me wondering about the young childs ability to play the part. That did get me to thinking about children playing roles in all kinds of movies. They are real life stories, so needed to accurately produce films, even if it is a fictional story. I, too, especially do not like people that have not read a book or seen a movie condemning it based on what they heard about it. I know way too many adults~male and female~who were raped as children. We need to make it socially unacceptable. From how you described this movie, it seems like a good vehcile to do that.
Let's not foreget all of the other movies that have similar acts against children and noone made a big deal with those movies. People need to open their eyes to these tavesties that our happenning to the young in the world. Even though I have not seen the movie as of yet, I give the director credit on bringing this topic to the forefront, and no I do not condone acts of violence against children or any other person unless if they deserve punishment for the crime.