Should the Makers of "Hounddog" be Prosecuted?

Question

In case you do not know, Dakota Fanning who was 12 at the time, starred in a movie titled Houndog. In the movie she tries to act older than what she is with bad results.

I can't go into what the movie contains here, but here is the article about it http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54312

Certain groups are asking the US Attorney General to bring federal charges against the makers of the movie (actually anyone involved in the movie which could include the other actors, camera people, and so forth).

Do you feel that such charges are justified or is this movie protected under the First Amendment?

Here is the news article if you would like to read it before you answer. http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=54312

Let's see who can give the most intelligent answer to this interesting situation.

Answer 1

well... I don't like to talk about things that I haven't seen... so it's hard to tell...

but just on what I know, it's a movie... and what was the movie's intent?

I would bet it would be quite disturbing... and that's probably the point... kind of like "Schindler's List".... no one enjoyed watching that movie... it wasn't some sort of Holocaust snuff film... but it is very graphic

but it's to raise awareness about these issues and that they are going on and to hopefully get help for children in these situations and maybe alert people that may be close to these situations...

I can't imagine it would glamorize it...

and the girl, if you've heard what she said, felt strongly about the film and it's message...

I mean... what if it helps someone out there that is in that situation? It didn't bother the girl in the movie, according to her, and if it helps others... I don't see the big problem...

at worst maybe some perv may like it in a really sick way... but there are probably pervs out there that like Schindler's List too, as sick as that is... we can't base our art off of what pervs MAY think about it... art is far to valuable for that...

Answer 2

Sticky situation. It is disturbing, but no more so than Lolita. Perhaps they should have used an older girl to play the young girl, though I'm not sure that would make it any better as the concept is still there.

I think they may be more worried how the paedophile crowd will follow this movie. That it will become legal "child porn".I have to say it concerns me as well.

I guess i find the graphic nature of the movie offence and morally wrong, and I do believe children should be protected and the bastards that hurt them, severely hurt.

If the movies point is that this behaviour is wrong and is showing the trauma and pain it causes I don't think they should be charged, as long as the investigation comes up clean. However if the aforementioned message is not there or very vague, they should be charged. I have no way to tell this unless I watched the movie, which I won't since such scenes would sicken me.