12 yr old Dakota Fanning in controversial new film role

[omar]

can't they find someone a little bit older

that's ****** up

 

[northernsky]

i don't see a problem with it, as long as they handle the making of that film carefully as there's a child involved. there's always a huge gap between what goes on on set and what can be seen on screen. maybe they will use a body double if fanning should feel uncomfortable to do it (i hope her parents aren't too fixated on the stupid award.)

the other part of that scene is a tough one, too, if not even harder to play.

 

[TheGlassAngel]

Honestly, the idea is creepy but an oscar nod would cement her super child star status.

 

[lalablossoms]

wether she can "handle" it or not there is no reason to show a naked 11 year old i hate it when they do this with teen models for the "art", give me a break, any work of this type by a minor should be classified as child p*rn wether that was the intention or not there must be some protection for these girls, she may think its ok and be intelligent and mature but she is still an adolescent, i'm pretty liberal but i'm tired of this anything goes policy in entertainment, i'm not for censorship but at least more common sense when kids are involved

 

[J'ador-DioR]

Doesn't bother me a bit. Why play it safe? Push the envelope, I say. If anyone has a prob with it, don't watch it. It's that simple.

I completly agree .

 

[eternitygoddess]

This is just wrong.

I don't care how capable of an actress Dakota Fanning is, but to think of a 12-year old girl acting in a r*pe scene.

Wrong wrong wrong.

 

[smartarse]

Heard about it. No doubt Dakota is a gifted young starlet that will do an exceptional job and will most definitely be an oscar worthy, that is, if the Academy feels the subject matter done by a minor is acceptible in mainstream cinema, let alone be done at all, considering America is a conservative nation when it comes to such. However, I do find it disturbing and uncomfortable to see a minor in such scenes. But most disturbing of all when pedophiles come in droves to watch this film with smiles on their faces. UGH! the thought!

 

[Fabulyss]

Wow. I can't believe so many people consider her an actual actress. She's only 12! I can't take any child 'actors' seriously. In fact, I kind of hate them.

 

[plasticine20]

It is a bit concerning that she is taking part in such a scene; I know many feel that it is necessary to portray real events for the sake of their art. But I'm just wondering why someone would want to watch it; we all know it happens. I think that's bad enough. I just hope she's really not shown naked in the film. But also, do remember that for films like these, child psychologists, medical professionals, child welfare agents, etc are always present to make sure the well being of the minor is ok.

Wow. I can't believe so many people consider her an actual actress. She's only 12! I can't take any child 'actors' seriously. In fact, I kind of hate them.

Age does say whether one can be an actress or not. What is she doing onscreen? Acting. Simple. Whether or not she is a good actress is up to the viewer, but I believe she is a great actress. And even if you hate them, many films will not be possible without them.

 

[mellowdrama]

Sure, graphically r*pe every 12 year-old actress Hollywood's got, but make one promise to me: No Nick Nolte, God, please. I've recently suffered through both The Prince of Tides and the remake of Cape Fear, as my roommate and his Netflix seem to be going through a Nick Nolte phase, and this has a similar stink to it.

 

[mellowdrama]

More on writer/director Deborah Kampmeier about her previous film, Virgin
I am beginning to detect a theme:

Virgin is the story of Jessie, a rebellious teenager, wrestling with her own spirituality and against her family's conservative Baptist tradition. After a sexual encounter occurring while unconscious from alcohol and drugs, Jessie finds herself pregnant. With no memory of sex and having a dream in which God speaks to her, Jessie proceeds with the belief that she is carrying the next Christ child, a belief that at first enrages and then inspires her, causing violent opposition in her community.

And:

Even with all of the accolades and the strong audience response, no distributor wanted the film. Which was especially puzzling when after “distributor screenings” in which Kampmeier filled the house with women responding audibly with tears and gratitude, the distributors would say they just didn’t know who the audience was. Kampmeier, exasperated, would mutter to herself, “Our target audience is over half the population. Our film raises many issues for women. Other than the obvious and pressing issue of r*pe, there are basic issues of self-esteem. Of women trusting their intuition, of hearing their own voice. Women have expressed over and over again they are hungry for films like this.”

and:

Most distressing for Kampmeier was the night the first r*pe scene was shot. It was the same night the exterior bird scenes were shot, which took up much time. And when the company move to the second site was finally complete she was already four hours over schedule. Her crew was ready to walk but agreed to give her two takes for the entire scene.

That's a good crew, now. Tears and gratitude, baby. I am trusting my intuition and hearing my own voice, Deborah. Baptist Churches and the rural South: write about what you know, Kampmeier! I've got Nazarene Churches, Pennsyltucky, and r*pe in my history, myself, but I think I'll make my first screenplay about a Hindu from Bangalore and r*pe. Damn close. I figure it won't offend anyone, least of all Nazarenes from Pennsyltucky. I am hungry to mock, er make, films like this. In reliving the pain of my victimization (oh, and I have been there: it sucks, you deal. And Harner Method Shamanic Soul Retrieval is da bomb. Seriously. No sarcasm.) my self-esteem returns, and everything is now peachy keen. Oprah, where are you Oprah? I'm seeing Mrs. Penn and Ms. Kampmeier on your sofa by Christmas...

 

[SiennaInLondon]

No. Just no. I already hope she is getting a childhood with her career but this is so unnecesary. Cant they get an actress who looks 12 like Mena Suvari? If she is playing this, she is going to have to get into the minds of these people, do research etc etc. Just no.

 

[VainJane]

So Dakota and her parents are just doing this because they want an Oscar?
"She may be emotionally scarred for life, but at least she got an Oscar out of it!"

Puh-lease. It's just like all those other actresses who won Academy Awards just because they 'looked ugly' in a movie.

Just in case the r*pe doesn't do it, they should also have her character slit her wrists, develop a drinking problem and get her face mangled in a car accident. That way she's guaranteed to get the stupid Oscar.

Whatever. I don't watch those movies anyway.

 

[tifa]

No, this is horrible and if you were a responsible parent you would not allow your child to appear naked and act a r*pe scene. She is a child, no matter how old or well she can act. This is something that will be there forever for anyone to see. Gross.

 

[Missoni~Heiress]

It really makes me sick thinking about this movie

 

[*Happiness*]

I believe that if this is a story that needs to be told....Dakota is a wonderful actress (even though she is still a pre-teen)....but this movie....a r*pe scene maybe this will give those who were raped as kids strength to deal and get over their past and move on....maybe it will cause those that have raped to examine themselves and get help...maybe it will spark discussion within our homes and at our dinner tables that will cause parents and children to open up and share things and have good communication on subjects like this. But if we continue to "push things under the rug" and "pretend" that everything is okay....more people will be raped and pediphiles will continue to reek havoc.

I commend Dakota for having the fortitude to stand up and take a demanding role and be a voice for those who are silent and don't know how to speak up.

 

[Miss Dalloway]

^^Happiness beautifully written i agree with you on every note and i find some of the comments here very childish(not pointing fingers)!We are tallking about a movie and not real life there is no way that she could be scared for life because of that scene and actors and people who have been on actual movie set know what i am tallking about!
I also think these are important storys that need to be told and i am glad they are.I would hate to be living in world where only happy,joyful movies are being made while real life is totally different!

 

[smartarse]

It's a touchy subject. And not sure, but I believe it will be the first that a minor will act in detail about a r*pe on the big screen which is why it's controversial? Anyway, the subject matter is important and needs to be addressed, I agree with you there, *Happiness*. As to how many people will receive it, who knows. Needless to say, I'm not sure if the Academy will take into consideration to touch this. We shall see. The movie should be in the process if not already wrapped. Surprisingly, Penn is involved with financing the film?

I believe that if this is a story that needs to be told....Dakota is a wonderful actress (even though she is still a pre-teen)....but this movie....a r*pe scene maybe this will give those who were raped as kids strength to deal and get over their past and move on....maybe it will cause those that have raped to examine themselves and get help...maybe it will spark discussion within our homes and at our dinner tables that will cause parents and children to open up and share things and have good communication on subjects like this. But if we continue to "push things under the rug" and "pretend" that everything is okay....more people will be raped and pediphiles will continue to reek havoc.

I commend Dakota for having the fortitude to stand up and take a demanding role and be a voice for those who are silent and don't know how to speak up.

 

[*Happiness*]

I'm sure the Academy will at least consider it......I mean....Halle Berry won Best Actress for Monster's Ball....I think it should at least be considered.

 

[mellowdrama]

The whole world could have a UN-backed, consciousness-raising, child-r*pe circle-jerk with Oprah Winfrey presiding and kids would still get raped, I would not get unraped, and the world would continue its ceaseless, horrible spin. I am not in favor of censorship, nor do I doubt Dakota's resilience as an actor: my argument is not moral, merely aesthetic.

Why, after Streisand's The Prince of Tides, Scorsese's remake of Cape Fear, Anjelica Huston's Bastard Out of Carolina, Kampmeier's previous film Virgin, do we need more child/adolescent/adult graphic r*pe in a rural Southern setting? It's trite, don't you think? You can re-enact child r*pe for a noble purpose in numerous exotic locales with five-star hotels and restaurants. Imagine poor Dakota on location staying at a Motel Six and eating at Shane's Rib Shack. Now that's degrading.

Do the kids in New York City and Los Angeles lack that certain rapable something? Can't we have a graphic child r*pe set in St. Moritz involving the really smashing spawn of some forgotten duchy? I imagine Kampmeier would have no trouble getting and keeping a crew for that location, and Dakota could fit in some skiing.

And although she wasn't raped, just beat to death, we haven't had a Lisa Steinberg graphic Hollywood orgy just yet, have we? You know, set in the backwaters of Greenwich Village with that sadistic hayseed lawyer and his uneducated redneck former children's book writer/editor abused girlfriend. We could put Dakota up at the St. Regis and go wayyyy overbudget.

Creativity, Hollywood! That's all I ask when I go to see a kid get raped to affirm my moral rectitude and upliftment.