Dakota Fanning's new movie Hound Dog is raising a lot of controversy. I've not seen it, but I recall?

Question

a film titled "A Time to Kill" and I'm confused as to how what happened to the young girls character in this film was not questioned. Was it because she was not well known? I cried everytime I watched that movie. Was there controversy over this film as well? I'm sure there were more films that I'm not aware of. What is wrong with people these days. If this is their goal they can hire actors and actresses to play these parts who look younger but are actually over the age of 18. I don't see any good that can come of this except the already threatened increase in pedophilia and child abuse. Geez. Does anyone agree?

Answer 1

I m not disagreeing with you but this happens ever day to real people. Maybe this movie will make girls more aware that an attacker could be anyone!!

Answer 2

If you have not seen the movie how can you comment on it ? It is my understanding that the controversy is that her character is raped and she is still a very young actress. This, in my opinion says it all, It is a movie, a character, she is playing a role, many movies and actresses have played parts that could be questioned in the past. Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver, or Broke Shields in Blue lagoon, also, the movie Little darlings was quite risky at that time. Hollywood and films are not to blame and if the actress is grounded and has parental consent, this is a decision that has to be made by the actor. Judging her role and her stability before or after the film is useless. We will never know the effect this will have , hind sight is twenty- twenty.

Answer 3

In "Houngdog" Dakota Fanning plays a troubled 12-year-old girl, Lewellen, who is raped by an older boy. Taking place in the 1960s American South (the film is being shot in North Carolina), Lewellen finds solace through the music of Elvis Presley. I believe that Lewellen goes on to terrorize other people.

Of course, this film has garnered a lot of controversy. It seems quite dangerous for a real 12-year-old girl to act out something as horrific as a rape scene. Think back to Linda Blair from "The Exorcist." As an adult, she tells of the mental and physical anguish and damange she suffered because of the horrific scenes she filmed at such a young age.

I guess my feeling is if Fanning really felt she could do this part, then she should do what she feels is best. However, since she is only 12, I think her parents should have thought more about what this could do to her before allowing her. I read an article and it seems they hope this role will get her a Oscar nomination. Her parents may not be thinking about what is best for their daughter.

Answer 4

I really have no intention on seeing this movie anyway.No doubt there are already those out there who are obsessed with her regardless.Personally I would have preferred that she would have spoken out about awareness to school children her age than role play it. There are greater crimes that are committed by those who exploit children as prostitutes. Some parents in third world countries have been selling their own children for years. The more people are aware of child prostitution and the easy availability of pornography on the Internet such as with documentaries it seems to me would be more provoking than this movie. Maybe they should consult a professional before making such wild claims. Do you remember Laura Dern in Rambling Rose? What about American Beauty? The Professional with Natalie Portman and so on. I think people are most upset with this new choice which takes another direction.Hasn't she done enough movies already for a child star? Personally I'm weary of her being used so much anyway. She isn't eactly Shirley Temple uno. This reminds me the one actress that Clint Eastwood kept using. If you don't like it don't see it. I preferred the series Taken. Hide and Seek was creepy but more of a drama than a sci-fi thriller. Wasn't she also in the Movie Signs? She seems to do well with movies as a victim. She isn't exactly an angel so far with the subject matter and seems to tread the line anyway. Maybe this one will finally give her that long needed vacation from child acting so she can finally grow up as a normal teenager. Now compare her to JonBenet.

Answer 5

Release the thing. This whole issue is ridiculous. She made the choice, her parents ok'd it, it passed the spate of child protection laws in place to ensure that her little brain wasn't traumatized...it is infuriating that we live in a society in which intelligent people can make a concious choice to attempt raise awareness of an important social issue and be slammed for it, while movies in which people are being blown up, stabbed, shot, and horrifically tortured pass the stupid MPAA with flying colors. She was protected, it was carefully thought out, and the rape is implied through the images of the film, not actually acted out. Most of the people who are freaking out over this haven't even seen the thing. Let's worry less about traumatizing Dakota Fanning, who is a 40-year-old in a 12-year old's body anyway, and worry more about the amount of violence that our society deems acceptable to show children. And we wonder about events like school shootings.

Answer 6

I see what you're saying and if it was my 12 year old daughter - acting or not - then I wouldn't let her do it. In saying that I'm sure she and her family must have thought a lot about it before she accepted the role. Dakota Fanning strikes me as someone who is really mature for her age that wouldn't be phased by a role like this.
Like you're saying they could have hired someone older but controversy gets publicity and gets people interested in the film.

Answer 7

I don't know which movie you're talking about, but the one that is raising the controversy is Dakota Fanning who is only age 12 in real life, being raped.

I find this totally unnecessary to expose a child to a rape scene in a movie whether or not she is an actress.

Answer 8

Gave you a star!
Interesting topic...even though I haven't heard anything about this movie yet. Now I know a little after reading your first response. But I think that Dakota is getting a little over - rated....too many movies! Are there not any other 12 year old girls acting?

Answer 9

Dakota Fanning may only be 12 but she is an old soul. Im sure she had counseling before and during the film. If any 12 year old could handle it, she can.

Answer 10

Jena Malone played a part much the same in Bastard Out of Carolina! It was a hard to watch and I think she was younger then Dakota and I don't remember people saying a word about it.

But I do think your rright! Why do we keep putting things like this out there for people to see when we see so much of it on the news anymore.