Dakota Fanning To Play Rape Scene

[maycocksean]

I'd be interested to hear from someone with some extensive experience in the film industry comment on how traumatizing this experience might have been to Dakota Fanning. I've directed scenes on my own (currently shelved) television drama, but the "difficult" scenes were no where this intense so I don't think I'm really qualified to say.

I'd agree that editing can create a different feeling then what was there originally, and it's been often said that sex scenes, for example, are singularly "unsexy" when they're being filmed.

My concerns have to do with two things:

Number one, the "nude but for the underpants." I just have a problem with showing underage girls nude. If it wasn't for the dressing of art, we'd call it pornography. I agree with the all the comments about "telling the story" and it's merit in that regard, but there will surely be viewers with far more prurient interests, and I just don't think a young kid should be exposed to that.

Number two, while editing will make the scene look "worse", the fact is that for Dakota to be convicingly real, she's going to have to go some really dark places as an actor to bring an authentic performance. And I'm just wondering if it's really good to be asking that much of such a young girl. I've worked with young actors for the past seven years, both on stage and in television and from my experience, just the mental and emotional cost of giving a convincing performance might be quite high.

I don't oppose the depiction of sexuality or violence in film, per se (which I don't think contradicts my Christian values, since there's a lot in the Bible that I don't think is "appropriate for kids" yet still has value) but I think there are some legitmate concerns.

And then again, the scenes are already shot, so I'm not sure what good our hand-wringng would do at this point.

 

[The Disciple]

Regardless of the reason, I really don't know about this one.

 

[Irvine511]

Number one, the "nude but for the underpants." I just have a problem with showing underage girls nude. If it wasn't for the dressing of art, we'd call it pornography. I agree with the all the comments about "telling the story" and it's merit in that regard, but there will surely be viewers with far more prurient interests, and I just don't think a young kid should be exposed to that.

she will not be nude. actresses must be 18 or older to do any sort of nude scenes.

Number two, while editing will make the scene look "worse", the fact is that for Dakota to be convicingly real, she's going to have to go some really dark places as an actor to bring an authentic performance.

my honest guess is that the rape will be visually implied and it won't be anywhere near a graphic rape scene like in, say, "the accused" or "boys don't cry."

however, if she is going to show the emotional aftermath, then she will have to go to a dark place, but i think she's a very credible actress for her age.

 

[shart1780]

What a horrible thing.

I certainly won't be watching it.

 

[maycocksean]

she will not be nude. actresses must be 18 or older to do any sort of nude scenes.

So this, from the original article posted by Mrs. S was a misquote?

"calls for Fanning's character to be raped in one explicit scene and to appear naked or clad only in "underpants" in several other horrifying moments."

my honest guess is that the rape will be visually implied and it won't be anywhere near a graphic rape scene like in, say, "the accused" or "boys don't cry."

however, if she is going to show the emotional aftermath, then she will have to go to a dark place, but i think she's a very credible actress for her age.

I agree, she should be able to handle the aftermath just fine. As to what will be contained in the actual scene. . . . we don't know since none of us has seen it. Right now all we can go on is what we each read into the word "explicit"

 

[Salome]

So this, from the original article posted by Mrs. S was a misquote?

"calls for Fanning's character to be raped in one explicit scene and to appear naked or clad only in "underpants" in several other horrifying moments."

I think under 18 frontal nudity isn't allowed
which isn't the same as appearing naked

seems a bit like nitpicking but it does make quite a difference

 

[Judah]

So this, from the original article posted by Mrs. S was a misquote?

"calls for Fanning's character to be raped in one explicit scene and to appear naked or clad only in "underpants" in several other horrifying moments."

We don't know how that'll be illustrated onscreen. Could be that a body-double is used to show some nude part of "Fanning's character."

 

[maycocksean]

^ Which raises the question of whether the whole thing is being sensationalized, if "naked" means all we see is her back, and "explicit" means some scary unclear movements, quick cuts, and emotional intensity.

The point is, it would appear, we may not really know anything about what's in this movie.

Re: the body double. That would take some doing. . .to find an 18 year old to pass as a 12 year old? Not impossible, I guess. But difficult.

 

[Salome]

it is Hollywood
which should answer your question whether it's sensationalized


but it could still be a great movie

 

[najeena]

Miss Fanning appears to be a very ambitious young lady. I think she must have wanted this role badly, and been willing to undergo whatever it entailed for the challenge of it. She'll go far.

 

[JCOSTER]

ok,

but like yourself

i have changed my 100% opinions
after I have experienced or received new information

(that was unbeknownst to me at the time I was saying )

this is my 100% opinion

Are you a parent?

 

[JCOSTER]

ok,

but like yourself

i have changed my 100% opinions
after I have experienced or received new information

Are you a parent?

Scratch this double post...sorry

 

[deep]

Are you a parent?

no,

I am not a parent

looking at your profile,
I am 11 years older than you,
and I am guessing you are a parent

I am the oldest of five siblings
our mother died when I was ten

I have 15 nieces and nephews
I am currently dating someone with a ten year old child

I have a lot of concern
as to what children are exposed to these days in popular culture

if you want to tell me
that you would not want your 12 year old to act in a film like this, I understand

I would not want any of my nieces to do it or even watch it for that matter

I would strongly recommend mature people watch the Malone movie I mentioned

as for Dakota Fanning and what she does with her mother's approval and within the laws that are applied to film making
that is their business

 

[JCOSTER]

no,

I am not a parent

looking at your profile,
I am 11 years older than you,
and I am guessing you are a parent

I am the oldest of five siblings
our mother died when I was ten

I have 15 nieces and nephews
I am currently dating someone with a ten year old child

I have a lot of concern
as to what children are exposed to these days in popular culture

if you want to tell me
that you would not want your 12 year old to act in a film like this, I understand

I would not want any of my nieces to do it or even watch it for that matter

I would strongly recommend mature people watch the Malone movie I mentioned

as for Dakota Fanning and what she does with her mother's approval and within the laws that are applied to film making
that is their business

Well I all I can tell you is that my son who was in second grade had an incident with an older student in the boys bathroom. This led to the other student leaving the school because of. MY son was horrified. So having an incident happen to my son which was quite shocking, I can not even begin to imagine putting your child in this situation.

I have totally lost all respect for her parents.Even if DF says she can do and wanted to do the scene, a 12 year old child has no idea how she will feel when the scene is over with, how many times it will be done over and what it will look like on screen. I truly think its terrible and everyone is entitled to their opinion on the subject.

 

[BVS]

I have to say I'm quite perplexed with this scenario...

I agree that a lot has to do with editing and that acting the scene probably won't be any problem, viewing it will probably be a lot harder for her. I'm sure they will do everything to protect her.

But here's where I have issue. We let kids pertend to play guns(and I know now it's much less PC, but it still occurs), play violent video games(and I'm not even talking about the graphic ones), all these things that should never be taken lightly and in real life are very traumatizing... But someone who's acting in a very controlled environment, who's a very established and proffesional actor, whose already played some very "traumatizing" roles, and we get all bent out of shape?

This child has dealt with a multiple personality murderous father, war with other planets, been kidnapped, and had to work with crazy Tom Cruise!!! I think she knows how to seperate reality from acting...

 

[A_Wanderer]

I am reminded of Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver.

 

[80sU2isBest]

I have totally lost all respect for her parents.Even if DF says she can do and wanted to do the scene, a 12 year old child has no idea how she will feel when the scene is over with, how many times it will be done over and what it will look like on screen. I truly think its terrible and everyone is entitled to their opinion on the subject.

I agree.

 

[To-Ho]

I think it's a horrible idea. I wouldn't let my daughter play that role.

I agree,unless they are juust thinking abouut awards.That is wrong.

 

[melon]

I think that her parents have a much better idea of what their child is capable of doing than anyone here. I think it is rather lacking in taste to pass such harsh judgment on them over this.

Melon

 

[Irvine511]

I am reminded of Jodie Foster in Taxi Driver.

and it's clear the damage that was done -- that one specific scene turned her gay.











(sorry, but i actually had to deal with my first ever incident of behind-my-back homophobia last night, so i'm a little irritated ... but this is not the thread for that)

 

[Bono's shades]

I have to admit, this kind of turns my stomach since it involves such a young actress. But then again, no one here has seen the actual scene in question or knows exactly how it was filmed.

 

[VintagePunk]

I think that her parents have a much better idea of what their child is capable of doing than anyone here. I think it is rather lacking in taste to pass such harsh judgment on them over this.

Melon

I completely agree with this.


Irvine, sorry to hear of your experience.

 

[Irvine511]

Irvine, sorry to hear of your experience.

eh, it's no biggie, it was just disappointing.

i'll find another time and place to bring it up though.

 

[JCOSTER]

why do you assume your judgement is better than Dakota Fanning's mother's judgement?

it seems to me that she is in the situatino, and you aren't, so how are you in a position to judge?

and as has been said, there's no "simulated rape scene." scenes in film are created in the editing room, in all likelihood, it was filmed without putting Ms. Fanning in any sort of position to be traumatized by the scenario.

Irvine, answer to your questions: I'm a Mom & $ and cents do not cloud my judgement as a parent.



Just the thought of having your child in a situation like that real or unreal is just horrifying to me. I don't understand why anyone would want to put their child through that. It is hard enough for adults to deal with a situation such as never mind a 12 year old. Bottom line is no one knows not even her parents, on the outcome this will have on her emotional state in the future.

 

[Angela Harlem]

I've not got much to add. I do look at some movies and wonder (beyond editing) what is happening with the parents. Even crass language. When I saw the unedited Tyhe Excorcist, I was wondering more what the parents were thinking, than paying attention to the scene. Some things need to be made and need to be shown. I understand that. However, the cost is difficult to measure and no one in a healthy frame of mind can be comfortable with a 12 year old acting in such a role. This isn't a comment on the message. That alone cannot be shielded and should not. Should any Dakota Fanning actor be, though?

 

[AliEnvy]

and it's clear the damage that was done -- that one specific scene turned her gay.

And got a president shot.

Considering what 12 year olds are exposed to daily in the world, their general maturity level (especially ones with ambition), and the support around an A-list child actor, I just don't see this as a detrimental move.

If anything, if this film handles the subject matter well (sensitively and non-judgementally), Dakota and the audience will have a better understanding and empathy for those who ACTUALLY live through such horrible experiences.

 

[VintagePunk]

Irvine, answer to your questions: I'm a Mom & $ and cents do not cloud my judgement as a parent.

There are parents on here, myself included, who disagree with you.

Besides, it's an indie movie, I'm sure she could have gotten roles in major films during the time she was filming this that would have garnered much more money than this role, if it were a matter of greed on the part of her parents.

 

[Muggsy]

first of all we haven't seen the scene, so we don't know until what point that girl is going to be envolved in its making. Rape and violent scenes can be represented through symbolic images, maybe we will see DF in her underwear for two seconds and the rest of the scene will be constructed with light, sounds, and images which can represent the rape without showing total nudity or penetration or whatever.

* Unfortunately, violence (of any kind) against children is a reality, and it would be naive to deny its presence in the arts and the media. Have you ever read the original versions of many Fairy Tales?. now I'm not talking about this thread in particular, but as I said before, to deny the ugliness in art is to deny the ugliness of the world.

Lore.

 

[verte76]

to deny the ugliness in art is to deny the ugliness of the world.

Lore.

This is very true. I've seen ugliness in art. Hell, I've created it--I'm an artist, and not everything I do is sweetness and light. I've used self-censorship, not taking a painting out of the studio, to try to control this, but I don't have perfect taste. No one does.

 

[Devlin]

Personally, I think you guys who are going apeshit over this are losign your frikkin' minds.

Dakota woull be neck deep in adults. It's hardly likely that she'll actually be skin nude at any time. They have these wonderful inventions called body stockings, that have the look of bare skin without exposing bare skin. And I really, REALLY doubt that girl's boobies are going to be filmed at any point.

Get. Over. Yourselves.

Really.

It's just not that traumatic.