Dakota Fanning movie blasted for her rape scene

[Anngelique]

For me, it's not even about not "glossing over" or covering up the bad, ugly things that happen in life. THIS IS A CHILD. She is a living, breathing child who should not be subjected to it.

I have heard rumblings about this rape scene for at least 6 months now--it's not NEW news. Have I seen it---well, no of course not--it hasn't even been released yet. I don't NEED to see a violent rape of a 12 year old girl being depicted for the sole purpose of making money to know that it's wrong. It's pretty clear cut for me.

My only beef is that she is a child. If this was an adult--fine, whatever...I realize there is a market for that sort of thing.

Would anyone who is defending it allow your own daughter to be the young victim in a violent rape scene?

I almost asked that exact question Julianne! I'd love to hear the answers. But I'm not going to give anyone the benefit of the doubt because when they said she had to wear a body suit to look nude enough was said. End of story.

 

[southcitymom]

Would anyone who is defending it allow your own daughter to be the young victim in a violent rape scene?

Well, I don't know that a movie that hasn't even been seen needs defending....but in answer to this question, it would depend on a great many factors. Money is not one of those factors.

Frankly, most of us aren't parents of young professional actors, so it is not a decision we will ever have to make. I just don't feel like it's a black and white issue.

Hide and Seek and War of the Worlds both had terrifying and violent scenes in them in which an even younger Dakota took part. I can envision situations where those scenes could have been more frightening to act in/film than a rape scene - depending again on many factors.

Why was it okay for her to be in psychologically violent movies like the two I just mentioned, but not okay for her to be in this one? Violence is violence. Maybe this seems different because "sex" is involved, but to me, rape is about violence.

 

[xray]

I can't believe our society would allow this with all the crack down on child . I hate to say it but people like at this site are trying to fight things like this and it upsets me to think that hollywood promote it. Dakota is 12 yrs old not capable of making decisions to do this movie SHE IS A CHILD! In my opinion her parents should be brought up on child charges along with the director and cast. What was the actor that did the (staged) rape, even though this is not real, thinking how could he do the scene and not be a perv. I am sorry if I am being to harsh but I don't believe it should happen. Thanks for letting me rant!!

 

[michelle]

Now this article here says there are scenes where she is shown "clad only in underpants" also "naked in other scenes" Now this is not right. I was under the impression from the first article that she was not shown doing a rape scene. I dont think I would approve of this at all. http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/436553p-367837c.html

 

[SadieMae]

It always amazes me how quick people are to defend animals and are so upset when they are victimized but then make excuses when it's a child. To me she is 12, she is a child and the adults in her life should protect her not exploit and victimize her regardless of their so called cause or reasoning. End of story!

:blowkiss:
I think its disgusting. Shame on all of them...her parents, her agent and everyone involved in this movie. There is NO EXCUSE to even simulate this with a child.

 

[Linda7NJ]

I wouldn't even allow my son to model underwear! The thought of some pedophile finding little boys in their undies erotic sickens me!


Her parents IMO commited a crime

 

[julianne]

Well, I don't know that a movie that hasn't even been seen needs defending....but in answer to this question, it would depend on a great many factors. Money is not one of those factors.

Frankly, most of us aren't parents of young professional actors, so it is not a decision we will ever have to make. I just don't feel like it's a black and white issue.

Hide and Seek and War of the Worlds both had terrifying and violent scenes in them in which an even younger Dakota took part. I can envision situations where those scenes could have been more frightening to act in/film than a rape scene - depending again on many factors.

Why was it okay for her to be in psychologically violent movies like the two I just mentioned, but not okay for her to be in this one? Violence is violence. Maybe this seems different because "sex" is involved, but to me, rape is about violence.

So, your answer isn't NO? You would consider allowing your young daughter to be the victim in a violent rape scene, depending on certain factors? What factors? If you don't mind my asking. I'm not saying you're wrong, you are entitled to your opinion, but I honestly do not know what factors would make it okay?? You're right in that most of us aren't parents of young professional actors, but that isn't the point. I don't have to have a child actor to know that this is wrong. I just can't imagine saying to my child "Okay, honey, now this man is going to lay on top of you, try to fight him off, he's going to overpower you, and you're going to look naked or you're just going to be wearing panties, and he will look angry and we're all going to pretend that he overpowers you and violently rapes you so that you can make more money and nominated for an Oscar!":slap: :slap:

I haven't seen Hide and Seek, but in regards to War of the Worlds---that is a science fiction/fantasy film. The whole theme of that movie is make-believe. Even at her young age, she no doubt knew that it was make believe and that big, scary, robotic alien monsters from space weren't REALLY going to land on Earth and wreak havoc everywhere. However, violent rape is very real, as is child molestation....it can and does happen. She'd do better to advocate against it instead of promoting it.

 

[julianne]

Geez....a little more info on movie & it's characters. This is starting to sound like a big kiddie fest.


http://www.bluelineradio.com/dakotafanningscript.html

Dakota Fanning- LEWELLEN

The girl LEWELLEN is played by Dakota Fanning.
She’s a girl of nine, her mother died in child birth and she is being raised by an alcoholic father and an eccentric grandmother played by Piper Laurie.

Cody Hanford- BUDDY

SCENE 39

Lewellen and Buddy have just finished swimming in the creek when they run to a shed and strip naked. Soon they begin kissing and fondling each other as they have done "many times before". This scene was quickly reshot the day after the investors pulled out. What was on the film that caused them to reshoot? Was this what upset the investors?
David Morse- DADDY

SCENE 53
Daddy is pleasuring himself as Dakota watches until he completes the act.

Isabelle Fuhrman- GRASSHOPPER

Grasshopper, is in several scenes. She is the rich neighbor visiting nearby. She is younger than Lewellen. There are shots, "upskirt" shots (a term), that focus Grasshopper's underpants. Later on Lewellen forces Buddy and Grasshopper to strip totally nude and ties them together forcing them to touch each other.
SCENE 77
Lewellen has her own "upskirt" shot.

SCENE 78
Lewellen stands in front of the full length mirror takes her clothes off and looks at herself in the mirror

SCENE 80
Daddy sneaks into Lewellen's bedroom as Lewellen lays in bed in her underpants. Later on he climbs in her bed nude.

SCENE 85

Daddy wants Lewellen to sit in his lap, Lewellen asks why and he smiles and says because it "feels so good".



SCENE 95

THE FOLLOWING IS THE MUCH TALKED ABOUT RAPE SCENE, EVEN THOUGH A DISCLAIMER IS PRINTED ON THE SCRIPT SAYING MUCH CARE WILL BE TAKEN TO DISCRETELY PORTRAY THIS RAPE IN A DELICATE MANNER. SOURCES, ON SET AT THE TIME, TELL THE BLUE LINE THAT CREW WALKED OFF THE SET BECAUSE IT WAS SO GRAPHIC AND WAS FAR FROM BEING BACKLIT AS DISCRIBED BELOW. THE SCENE WAS FULLY LIT AND IT WAS EXTREMELY GRAPHIC. SOURCES TELL US THAT THE VIDEO ASSIST RECORDED EVERYTHING SHOT ON CAMERA. WE WERE ALSO TOLD THAT MISS FANNING'S MOTHER SAT IN FRONT OF A MONITOR WATCHING HER DAUGHTER PRETEND TO BE RAPED.

continued at link above

 

[southcitymom]

So, your answer isn't NO? You would consider allowing your young daughter to be the victim in a violent rape scene, depending on certain factors? What factors? If you don't mind my asking. I'm not saying you're wrong, you are entitled to your opinion, but I honestly do not know what factors would make it okay?? You're right in that most of us aren't parents of young professional actors, but that isn't the point. I don't have to have a child actor to know that this is wrong. I just can't imagine saying to my child "Okay, honey, now this man is going to lay on top of you, try to fight him off, he's going to overpower you, and you're going to look naked or you're just going to be wearing panties, and he will look angry and we're all going to pretend that he overpowers you and violently rapes you so that you can make more money and nominated for an Oscar!":slap: :slap:

I haven't seen Hide and Seek, but in regards to War of the Worlds---that is a science fiction/fantasy film. The whole theme of that movie is make-believe. Even at her young age, she no doubt knew that it was make believe and that big, scary, robotic alien monsters from space weren't REALLY going to land on Earth and wreak havoc everywhere. However, violent rape is very real, as is child molestation....it can and does happen. She'd do better to advocate against it instead of promoting it.

War isn't science fiction or fantasy. It's a constant reality of our planet with all its attendant horrors. Just because that movie added an unexperienced element (ie - other planets) doesn't mean the movie wasn't a total reflection of what countries do to each other daily.

And yes, I'm sure Fanning knew it was make believe just as I'm sure she knew her rape scene was make believe just as I'm sure she knows that everything she does in front of the camera is for a make believe end result. That's what actors do - they make believe.

Without seeing the film in question, I don't think we can say that Fanning is advocating or promoting rape. I haven't seen the movie, of course, but I'd be willing to bet that in the rape scene, writer, director and actors were all trying to get across the point that rape is very very bad. Perhaps by showing the horros of rape, Fanning feels like she is advocating against it.

I doubt anyone said to Fanning, "Okay, honey, now this man is going to lay on top of you, try to fight him off, he's going to overpower you, and you're going to look naked or you're just going to be wearing panties, and he will look angry and we're all going to pretend that he overpowers you and violently rapes you so that you can make more money and nominated for an Oscar."

It's hard for me to imagine what I would do if I had a precocious actress daughter who approached me about doing a role like this - that some people might find horrifying.

Years of backstory and relationships would go into my decision in that regard. I can't possibly enumerate everything I would need to consider - the child in question, his or her nature, how the scene would be filmed, her motivations are just a few things. I'm not a person that "gets" acting anyway - I can't imagine what motivates someone to want to act in any type of role (humorous, violent, silly). I guess I would get it more if I had been a parent to someone like her for many years.

I am trying to think of other movies I have seen with rape scenes. The Accused, of course. Prince of Tides (child and adult rape). A Time to Kill (child rape) Unforgiveable (adult rape). I know there have been a good many others - I just can't remember them all. And I've seen loads more where children were either physically or verbally abused which to me is equally as distressing. At no time when I watched those movies did I harshly judge the actors/parents involved for making the movies or chosing the roles. I still don't. I know others feel differently.

Film is a reflection of the world around us. I accept people's desire to reflect that world - in darkness and in light.

 

[dark_shadows]

North Carolina is investigating Director Deborah Kampmeier.



Respectfully,
dark_shadows

 

[julianne]

War isn't science fiction or fantasy. It's a constant reality of our planet with all its attendant horrors. Just because that movie added an unexperienced element (ie - other planets) doesn't mean the movie wasn't a total reflection of what countries do to each other daily.

And yes, I'm sure Fanning knew it was make believe just as I'm sure she knew her rape scene was make believe just as I'm sure she knows that everything she does in front of the camera is for a make believe end result. That's what actors do - they make believe.

Without seeing the film in question, I don't think we can say that Fanning is advocating or promoting rape. I haven't seen the movie, of course, but I'd be willing to bet that in the rape scene, writer, director and actors were all trying to get across the point that rape is very very bad. Perhaps by showing the horros of rape, Fanning feels like she is advocating against it.

I doubt anyone said to Fanning, "Okay, honey, now this man is going to lay on top of you, try to fight him off, he's going to overpower you, and you're going to look naked or you're just going to be wearing panties, and he will look angry and we're all going to pretend that he overpowers you and violently rapes you so that you can make more money and nominated for an Oscar."

It's hard for me to imagine what I would do if I had a precocious actress daughter who approached me about doing a role like this - that some people might find horrifying.

Years of backstory and relationships would go into my decision in that regard. I can't possibly enumerate everything I would need to consider - the child in question, his or her nature, how the scene would be filmed, her motivations are just a few things. I'm not a person that "gets" acting anyway - I can't imagine what motivates someone to want to act in any type of role (humorous, violent, silly). I guess I would get it more if I had been a parent to someone like her for many years.

I am trying to think of other movies I have seen with rape scenes. The Accused, of course. Prince of Tides (child and adult rape). A Time to Kill (child rape) Unforgiveable (adult rape). I know there have been a good many others - I just can't remember them all. And I've seen loads more where children were either physically or verbally abused which to me is equally as distressing. At no time when I watched those movies did I harshly judge the actors/parents involved for making the movies or chosing the roles. I still don't. I know others feel differently.

Film is a reflection of the world around us. I accept people's desire to reflect that world - in darkness and in light.

Well, obviously war isn't science fiction or fantasy---I didn't say that it was. Yes, war is a reality. However, "War of the Worlds" is INDEED a science fiction/fantasy movie---the WHOLE PREMISE of the movie was science fiction, it wasn't just an unexperienced element. I mean, I guess you could call ALL science ficiton an "unexperienced element" for that matter, LOL. But that's neither here nor there.

For me, regardless of motives, backstory or my childs nature, I simply would never allow it to happen to my child.

Yes, Jodie Foster did a violent rape scene in "The Accused"---and she has also said that she struggled with it for years afterwards and that in order to complete the scene, she had to "black out". Now, I'm not sure what she meant by that, whether she was speaking literally or figuratively, but she had major issues dealing with it and she was an adult!

I actually am against censorship when free-thinking ADULTS are involved, but I guess my stance on censorship ends when it comes to the exploitation of children, and I do believe she is being exploited. And, her mother WAS indeed quoted as saying that the SOLE reason for her wanting Dakota to do this film was so that she could expand her acting skills enough to receive an Academy Award. Academy award equals money.

Film IS an expression of the world around us & I accept that people want to reflect that. I draw the line at making a child reflect every disgusting reality imaginable. Just as I do not allow my young boys to watch pornographic movies (Hey, those too are a reflection of the world around us), or to watch certain violent films, or to play violent games......Not only do I WANT to raise emotionally healthy children, but I also have a responsibility to raise happy, emotionally and mentally healthy children. A responsibility to them, myself and the whole world. What comes out is a direct result of what I put in.

I appreciate your responses to me and I don't condemn your viewpoint, I just don't agree with it. I actually appreciate that you are giving me a reason to explore my views on this further, and if anything, solidify how I feel about it. I don't claim that my viewpoint is the right one, just the one that belongs to me. You have some interesting and logical viewpoints and opinions and I do respect them. If we all agreed on everything, WS would be a very boring place.

 

[shopper]

Juliane, that was very interesting. Thanks for the info. From that info alone, this movie seems disgusting. I know this kind of stuff happens in real life, but why bring it onto the big screen? It reads like a pedophiles dream movie IMO.

 

[Anngelique]

Well, obviously war isn't science fiction or fantasy---I didn't say that it was. Yes, war is a reality. However, "War of the Worlds" is INDEED a science fiction/fantasy movie---the WHOLE PREMISE of the movie was science fiction, it wasn't just an unexperienced element. I mean, I guess you could call ALL science ficiton an "unexperienced element" for that matter, LOL. But that's neither here nor there.

For me, regardless of motives, backstory or my childs nature, I simply would never allow it to happen to my child.

Yes, Jodie Foster did a violent rape scene in "The Accused"---and she has also said that she struggled with it for years afterwards and that in order to complete the scene, she had to "black out". Now, I'm not sure what she meant by that, whether she was speaking literally or figuratively, but she had major issues dealing with it and she was an adult!

I actually am against censorship when free-thinking ADULTS are involved, but I guess my stance on censorship ends when it comes to the exploitation of children, and I do believe she is being exploited. And, her mother WAS indeed quoted as saying that the SOLE reason for her wanting Dakota to do this film was so that she could expand her acting skills enough to receive an Academy Award. Academy award equals money.

Film IS an expression of the world around us & I accept that people want to reflect that. I draw the line at making a child reflect every disgusting reality imaginable. Just as I do not allow my young boys to watch pornographic movies (Hey, those too are a reflection of the world around us), or to watch certain violent films, or to play violent games......Not only do I WANT to raise emotionally healthy children, but I also have a responsibility to raise happy, emotionally and mentally healthy children. A responsibility to them, myself and the whole world. What comes out is a direct result of what I put in.

I appreciate your responses to me and I don't condemn your viewpoint, I just don't agree with it. I actually appreciate that you are giving me a reason to explore my views on this further, and if anything, solidify how I feel about it. I don't claim that my viewpoint is the right one, just the one that belongs to me. You have some interesting and logical viewpoints and opinions and I do respect them. If we all agreed on everything, WS would be a very boring place.

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: Very nicely put!

 

[southcitymom]

Well, obviously war isn't science fiction or fantasy---I didn't say that it was. Yes, war is a reality. However, "War of the Worlds" is INDEED a science fiction/fantasy movie---the WHOLE PREMISE of the movie was science fiction, it wasn't just an unexperienced element. I mean, I guess you could call ALL science ficiton and "unexperienced element" for that matter, LOL. But that's neither here nor there.

For me, regardless of motives, backstory or my childs nature, I simply would never allow it to happen to my child.

Yes, Jodie Foster did a violent rape scene in "The Accused"---and she has also said that she struggled with it for years afterwards and that in order to complete the scene, she had to "black out". Now, I'm not sure what she meant by that, whether she was speaking literally or figuratively, but she had major issues dealing with it and she was an adult!

I actually am against censorship when free-thinking ADULTS are involved, but I guess my stance on censorship ends when it comes to the exploitation of children, and I do believe she is being exploited. And, her mother WAS indeed quoted as saying that the SOLE reason for her wanting Dakota to do this film was so that she could expand her acting skills enough to receive an Academy Award. Academy award equals money.

I appreciate your responses to me and I don't condemn your viewpoint, I just don't agree with it. I don't claim that my viewpoint is the right one, just the one that belongs to me. If we all agreed on everything, WS would be a very boring place.

I hear you, Julianne. Truly I do. I just can't give an honest, immediate yes or no answer to your initial question. It is multi-faceted for me. Fortunately, I doubt it's something I will ever have to deal with. Although my 6-year-old is currently obsessed with acting out scenes from the Harry Potter books, I don't see his thespian career progressing much further!

I read up on the films I want to see. Everyone is different in that regard. I could see this film we are discussing (I don't know if I WILL see it, but I could), but I couldn't/wouldn't see The Passion of the Christ. One of my best friends was a victim of extreme childhood sexual abuse and she has to be very careful about what she sees. Everyone does, I guess.

Of course the film's producers are LOVING all of this press I am sure. The buzz almost guarantees a bigger box office.

I appreciate, as I always do when you post, your opinions and insights into this issue.

SCM

 

[southcitymom]

Juliane, that was very interesting. Thanks for the info. From that info alone, this movie seems disgusting. I know this kind of stuff happens in real life, but why bring it onto the big screen? It reads like a pedophiles dream movie IMO.

There was an excellent movie last year called The Woodsman (not for everyone by any stretch of the imagination) with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick. In any event, there were several (one in particular) totally creepy but absolutely non-graphic scenes regarding child molestation. In this movie, they really got the point across without being visually graphic - hard trick to pull off, I imagine.

 

[shopper]

There was an excellent movie last year called The Woodsman (not for everyone by any stretch of the imagination) with Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgewick. In any event, there were several (one in particular) totally creepy but absolutely non-graphic scenes regarding child molestation. In this movie, they really got the point across without being visually graphic - hard trick to pull off, I imagine.

I didn't see that movie. Was it good? I also think that a rape/molestation scene can be done without showing anything at all. If the viewer has any imagination, and a director is worth his/her salt, gratuitous (sp?) scenes aren't necessary.

JMO

 

[southcitymom]

I didn't see that movie. Was it good? I also think that a rape/molestation scene can be done without showing anything at all. If the viewer has any imagination, and a director is worth his/her salt, gratuitous (sp?) scenes aren't necessary.

JMO

Shopper,

I truly enjoyed The Woodsman, but be forwarned that it is essentially about a recovering child molester trying to retrain himself. It is a stirring movie and the performances are extraordinary, but some people would probably see it and say that they are trying to present a sympathetic view of a pedophile. I personally didn't find this to be the case but I can see how some people might.

There were no pictorally graphic molestation scenes, but there were some stirring ones. And there was a conversation b/w a detective and the molester that was intensely verbally graphic.

I have an interest in glimpsing behind the minds of pedophiles so it was interesting to me.

I agree with you 100% that less is often more in the medium of film.

 

[pedinurse]

When this first surfaced a few months ago her mom was defending her decision to let Dakota shoot the scene by saying that it could be Dakota's chance to win an Oscar.

Doesn't seem to me like that is a sane decision!!!!

:blowkiss:
I think its disgusting. Shame on all of them...her parents, her agent and everyone involved in this movie. There is NO EXCUSE to even simulate this with a child.

 

[shopper]

Shopper,

I truly enjoyed The Woodsman, but be forwarned that it is essentially about a recovering child molester trying to retrain himself. It is a stirring movie and the performances are extraordinary, but some people would probably see it and say that they are trying to present a sympathetic view of a pedophile. I personally didn't find this to be the case but I can see how some people might.

There were no pictorally graphic molestation scenes, but there were some stirring ones. And there was a conversation b/w a detective and the molester that was intensely verbally graphic.

I have an interest in glimpsing behind the minds of pedophiles so it was interesting to me.

I agree with you 100% that less is often more in the medium of film.

I may have to check it out, thanks for the info. I like movies with a "dark" side, but within reason of course. It's disturbing enough to see a rape scene with an adult (the Accused) but I don't think I could watch a child rape scene.

Do you watch the Soprano's? There was a very disturbing rape scene (Dr. Melfi) that I have to fast forward through.

 

[southcitymom]

I may have to check it out, thanks for the info. I like movies with a "dark" side, but within reason of course. It's disturbing enough to see a rape scene with an adult (the Accused) but I don't think I could watch a child rape scene.

Do you watch the Soprano's? There was a very disturbing rape scene (Dr. Melfi) that I have to fast forward through.

Yes - I LOVE The Sopranos - I had forgotten all about that scene with Dr. Melfi. It was intense.