Dakota Fanning movie blasted for her rape scene

[kcksum]

It's just a not a point of 'watching a 12-yr-old raped'. In the first place, there's no watching of child being raped in this film. The suggestion is there, the implication is there, but there's no filming of a child being raped. The point of the scene, and the entire movie, is that this child is horribly abused during her childhood and as a result becomes sexually active in entirely inappropriate ways at entirely inappropriate ages.

The film is an effort to speak out at what we know goes on in the U.S. and is reported in the news discussed here almost daily. Children are abused and sexually misused and we abhore it! With any luck at all, this film will not only draw attention to the wrongs that are committed but also inspire real children who are being, and have been, abused to speak out, act out, and get out of the nightmares they are enduring.

Although some hysterical columnists and talk show hosts would have you believe that Dakota Fanning experienced a pretend rape in order to make this move, that's not what happened at all.

This isn't a kiddie movie, it's a movie that reveals the abuses that some children are forced to endure and what happens to those children as a result. It's a Wake Up And Do Something to Stop This From Continuing! type of movie.

I agree I agree!
Some of the people crying foul in the media and on boards alike need to turn on their tv's and watch a bit of television!!!! Girls gone wild is a money machine and many of the girls in those shows are without a doubt under age. 12 and 16 are only 4 years apart, and no one objects to the OC which depicts blatant sexual contact between teenage kids ages 14-18.
I object much more to a 16 year old having sex with an apple pie and calling it comedy,in American pie than I do an eloquent but hard hitting film about the plague of child rape.
Child rape happens, if this movie shines a light on that then I am all for it, and commend the fannings for allowing their daughter to be the one to stand up and point the light in the right direction. To insenuate they would knowlingly let their child be bait for a kiddie trash movie is wrong and judgemental, especially for those of you who haven't even seen the film.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

Of course she's not a normal 12-year old. She's paying the bills for her entire family. Why shouldn't they let her do this. After all, they must already know that she'll most likely be in rehab before her 21st birthday anyway. Why not let her make the most while she can.

 

[Masterj]

Of course she's not a normal 12-year old. She's paying the bills for her entire family. Why shouldn't they let her do this. After all, they must already know that she'll most likely be in rehab before her 21st birthday anyway. Why not let her make the most while she can.

I think that is a horribly cynical way to look at things. We have no idea what her family is like and if they are using her to suport the family. The fact that Dakota is extremely well-spoken and actually dresses like a proper 12 year old, says a lot about the way she has been raised, IMO. Hell, I think Drew Barrymore was already out partying at clubs when she was 12.

 

[nanandjim]

...The fact that Dakota is extremely well-spoken and actually dresses like a proper 12 year old, says a lot about the way she has been raised, IMO...

I think that this is a naive assumption. Many children, to include actresses and actors, are well spoken and dress appropriately. This is window dressing. Things behind the scenes can be very different. I'm not saying that they are in this case. However, I have heard of horror stories from some once clean cut, articulate child actors.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

I think that is a horribly cynical way to look at things. We have no idea what her family is like and if they are using her to suport the family. The fact that Dakota is extremely well-spoken and actually dresses like a proper 12 year old, says a lot about the way she has been raised, IMO. Hell, I think Drew Barrymore was already out partying at clubs when she was 12.

Yeah, right. I can name maybe three or four youngsters that "Hollywood" didn't rip the stuffings out of. Do you think that Dakota's mom says the scene is okay because its a learning experience???? She needs to learn how to act if she's raped? Dakota's got a handful of people whose only job it is to make sure she's dressed the part, so don't give her too much credit for her "look."

 

[IdahoMom]

I disagree with a few of the posts here. There are many, many kids in Hollywood that are well adjusted. The ones that aren't so well adjusted stand out, just like they do in Small Town, USA. IMO- Lindsey Lohan, for instance, may have had similar issues if she never went to Hollywood. She has a very dysfunctional family. Her Mom is her "buddy", her Dad's been gone for many years and LL witnessed alot of things she shouldn't have at home. I know several "Hollywood kids" and they're as normal as the day is long. Whatever normal is.

I'd love to see "normal child/teen" defined.

IMO

 

[southcitymom]

I disagree with a few of the posts here. There are many, many kids in Hollywood that are well adjusted. The ones that aren't so well adjusted stand out, just like they do in Small Town, USA. IMO- Lindsey Lohan, for instance, may have had similar issues if she never went to Hollywood. She has a very dysfunctional family. Her Mom is her "buddy", her Dad's been gone for many years and LL witnessed alot of things she shouldn't have at home. I know several "Hollywood kids" and they're as normal as the day is long. Whatever normal is.

I'd love to see "normal child/teen" defined.

IMO

I'm with the folks who think the vast majority of kids in film are normal - we just read more about the crazy, partying, out-of-control ones.

 

[Jeana (DP)]

They must be able to have something to fall back on because the facts are that the majority of them will not make it a life long career. Brooks Shields went to college as did Jody Foster. Two very intelligent women who would have no problems making it in the real world. When the industry doesn't need them anymore, they're cast aside. Some of them can deal with it, but most can't. Its difficult for adults to handle. How a child is expected to deal with it is beyond me.

 

[jubie]

My daughter is ten years old and I base my opinion that making this movie depicting a 12 year old being raped as wrong because I would never let my child imagine this happening to her. I think it's wrong to want to see such a thing. Give me a break, this isn't a documentary, it's a hollywood movie to make money. Where do we draw the line? When it comes to children we need to always always put their emotional and physical well being first.

And don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about because I don't know Dekota Fanning. I have to make decisions almost daily that help shape and guide who my children will become. It's called being a mom.


Getting off my box that smells a tad like soap.
Jubie

 

[Jeana (DP)]

My daughter is ten years old and I base my opinion that making this movie depicting a 12 year old being raped as wrong because I would never let my child imagine this happening to her. I think it's wrong to want to see such a thing. Give me a break, this isn't a documentary, it's a hollywood movie to make money. Where do we draw the line? When it comes to children we need to always always put their emotional and physical well being first.

And don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about because I don't know Dekota Fanning. I have to make decisions almost daily that help shape and guide who my children will become. It's called being a mom.


Getting off my box that smells a tad like soap.
Jubie

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

 

[Peter Hamilton]

Well, they are showing a few scenes on TV, previewing the film--looks like this film is a sordid bit of trash--hope it bombs

 

[michelle]

Well, they are showing a few scenes on TV, previewing the film--looks like this film is a sordid bit of trash--hope it bombs

It probably will bomb.

 

[jubie]

:clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

:blushing: Thanks Jeana,

This one for me is clear cut, it's just plain wrong. What happens down the line if this does haunt Dakota? Oops sorry? :doh:

And to who said something to the effect that Dakota will surely get some counselling I ask: Why on earth would you subject a child to something that you already know needs some 'counselling'???


The look on my sons face when he snowboards or my daughters laughter while playing with her friends makes my heart swell. They both have areas they excel in and I'm thrilled that they have these qualities that may make theirs lives richer (not in $$, but a bit of that would be ok too ) I want them to experience joy and good health, both mentally and physically. I just don't see setting kids up to possible emotional trauma.



Jubie

 

[jubie]

It probably will bomb.

Hi Michelle!! :blowkiss: pm me with an update to how you and your family are doing when you have some time.


It's already a bomb in my books.


I have to go get the kids from scool and will be busy with them and family stuff for the rest of the day.


Hugs
Jubie

 

[IdahoMom]

My daughter is ten years old and I base my opinion that making this movie depicting a 12 year old being raped as wrong because I would never let my child imagine this happening to her. I think it's wrong to want to see such a thing. Give me a break, this isn't a documentary, it's a hollywood movie to make money. Where do we draw the line? When it comes to children we need to always always put their emotional and physical well being first.

And don't tell me I don't know what I'm talking about because I don't know Dekota Fanning. I have to make decisions almost daily that help shape and guide who my children will become. It's called being a mom.


Getting off my box that smells a tad like soap.
Jubie

Jubie-
The controversy surrounding this movie reminds of when Pretty Baby came out...do you remember that? I wonder what Brooke Shields thinks about that movie now?

 

[julianne]

Jubie-
The controversy surrounding this movie reminds of when Pretty Baby came out...do you remember that? I wonder what Brooke Shields thinks about that movie now?

IM--Brooke has been quoted as saying that now that she is a Mom, she would never allow her daugher Rowan to do a film like that.

Some people are saying this film was done with "artistic integrity" and that it is censorship to not allow "artistic integrity" to be brought out, even in subjects that are taboo to some. I'm all for "artistic integrity", but should artistic integrity be above all else? Should artistic intregrity trump everything else? No, I don't think it should.

It has also been said that there was a counselor who provided counseling to Dakota before, during and after the scene--as well as throughout the whole movie. Why should a 12 year old little girl be put through something so obviously difficult and taxing that they KNEW she was going to need counseling to get through it? Why would ANYONE want to put a child through something that can screw her mind up enough to need counseling??? In the name of artistic integrity?

As far as bring child rape to the forefront and out in the open---I don't buy that either. This isn't a documentary here. This isn't a Frontline special, or a discovery channel documentary that exposes this evil crime and then gives education and information on what to do or where to go when this issue invades your life. This is a Hollywood film, complete with all the glitz and glamour of other Hollywood films, produced to fatten the wallets of everyone involved in the film. Nothing more--it is what it is.

 

[IdahoMom]

Thanks, Julianne for letting me know that about Brooke Shields. I try to read all the interviews of her I can, and I obviously missed that one. It seems like she is a great Mom. I really respect that she learned from her parents' (primarily her Mother's) mistakes and is applying that wisdom to her own parenting.

I agree with your remarks about "artistic integrity". It shouldn't trump decency, but how does one define decency? Scenes I feel are morally reprehensible, others- especially in Hollywood, will undoubtedly feel are just fine.

I don't think I will see this movie. I am extremely uncomfortable with the fact this scene was shot.

 

[southcitymom]

As far as bring child rape to the forefront and out in the open---I don't buy that either. This isn't a documentary here. This isn't a Frontline special, or a discovery channel documentary that exposes this evil crime and then gives education and information on what to do or where to go when this issue invades your life. This is a Hollywood film, complete with all the glitz and glamour of other Hollywood films, produced to fatten the wallets of everyone involved in the film. Nothing more--it is what it is.

There's another thread on a bestiality documentary at Sundance that's catching similar negative flack. So I don't think it's only HOW the subject matter is presented (documentary, Frontline or fiction) that offends many people as much as the fact that the material is considered objectionable by most to begin with. Also, I think in a documentary or a Frontline special you have the opinions of an interviewer coming through more strongly, whereas in a fictional film, you are more free to form your own opinions at the story's conclusion.

 

[Marthatex]

This is why Dakota in a few years will be running around and acting like Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears - drunk, drugged, wild and who knows what else.

Because none of them ever had a chance to have a normal childhood or adolescence, and deep down it was "all about the parents". The filmakers and parents should be prosecuted for child abuse. IMO

 

[IdahoMom]

This is why Dakota in a few years will be running around and acting like Lindsay Lohan or Britney Spears - drunk, drugged, wild and who knows what else.

Because none of them ever had a chance to have a normal childhood or adolescence, and deep down it was "all about the parents". The filmakers and parents should be prosecuted for child abuse. IMO

I hope that doesn't happen, Martha. That said, I truly believe that Dakota has a different kind of family structure than LL and Britney did- and I think that makes all the difference in the world in her formative years.