DAKOTA FANNING CONTROVERSY

The industry is abuzz with the new film "Hounddog" and Dakota Fannings performance in it. Apparently the 12 year old Miss Fanning is raped in a very graphic scene. On my drive home last night the right wingers were all over this, condemning Hollywood and the producers of the film. Sean Hannity (the pompous ass that he is) was one of the main detractors of the film and dedicated a large segment of his show to the subject.

I would want no part in filming a scene that depicts a 12 yr old girl being raped- especially when the actress playing the 12 yr old girl is actually 12 yrs old. I would never let my child take part in a film like this. The people that were defending the film could only muster up comments that "it's art" or "it's only a movie, it's not real". Well duh. "It's art" is not a viable defense anymore, maybe in the 60's, but not now.

I am not going to blast the film. I have not seen it. The wingers have already sold the film as a product of Satan, without even seeing a single frame. Sean Hannity defended himself by saying that the scenes are described in detail in the script. From firsthand experience I can tell you that what is in the script and what is on the screen often is not totally the same. Things happen on set 'in the moment' that can change everything. It is also possible to shoot things without actually showing what is going on. Again, I am not saying that raping a 12 yr old girl on screen can be done tastefully, but PLEASE wait and see the movie before you comment on it. And if you don't want to see that sort of thing, then don't- but PLEASE keep your big fat mouth shut about it then.

Will I see it? Yes. I work in the industry- it's part of my job as a producer to know what kind of product is out there.

If these wingers put as much effort into real rape cases that they are for this film, I think a lot more can be done to help people.

For more info on the film "Hounddog" go to:

http://imdb.com/title/tt0415856/