At this year’s Sundance film Festival everyone seems to be talking about three movies: Teeth about a girl who has teeth in her private area, Zoo a documentary about a guy who died when having sex with a horse and Hounddog (one word) which is being referred to as the Dakota Fanning Rape movie. A catholic organization protested last night’s premiere at the racquet club theater, insisting that it was child pornography. So is it?
The first scene involves young Dakota “whoring” herself out to her young best friend Buddy. She offers him a kiss in exchange for seeing his penis. Of course we don’t see the kid’s private area, it’s all done off screen. Well the film also contain the following:
- She gyrates like Elvis throughout the movie, one time while lying on a bed in her panties for the Milk Delivery Guy (who is looking downtown).
- Dakota drinks beer.
- A scene where she is forced to dance naked for Elvis tickets.
- And scene after scene with Fanning walking around in nothing but her underwear.
- And of course the much talked about full out rape sequence.
That said, there is nothing sexy about the rape sequence. In fact, it’s very short, respectfully done, with most of the action happening off screen. It’s more disturbing that anything else. But the question now becomes: without the shock value of the Dakota Fanning sex stuff, is Hounddog a good film? Well sort of.
The story drags but the performances and cinematography are extraordinary. Fanning delivers a matured and sophisticated performance. And I must applaud the film for it’s use of realistic characters vs. the usual cultural stereotypes. But in the end the movie is much ado about nothing.
/Film Rating: 6 out of 10
Written and Directed by: Deborah Kampmeier
Starring: Dakota Fanning, Isabelle Fuhrman, Cody Hanford, Piper Laurie, David Morse, Jill Scott, Robin Wright Penn
March 2nd, 2007 at 11:30 am
I THINK THAT EVERYBODY NEEDS TO KEEP THERE NOSE OUT OF EVERYTHING IF THE PARENTS GIVE PERMISION TO DO THE FILM THAT WAY THAT IS ALL THAT IS REQUIRED ITS NOT CHILD PORN ITS A MOVIE AND PEOPLE NEED TO GET A LIFE . THEY DIDNT SAY ANYTHING WHEN BROOKSHIELDS PLAYED A 12 YEAR OLD HOOKER OR WHEN JODI FOSTER WAS 12 YEARS OLD AND TOOK HER CLOTHES OFF IN A MOVIE ITS JUST A MOVIE THATS IT .
March 5th, 2007 at 1:47 pm
Like most reviewers, Sciretta fails to look beyond what was shown in the much-edited, final, “sanitized” edition of the film… which was ugly enough, despite his attempts to minimize it. The reality, however, is what was done on that set to film it. Specifically; what was done with and to three child actors, aged 9-12. Nor is anything mentioned about the emotional trauma and actual physical dangers to which child actors have historically been exposed to in films containing graphic sex and violence. And no child, to my knowledge and outside the realm of overt pornography, has been exposed to as much as Dakota Fanning is reliably reported to have. That includes Jodie Foster and Brooke Shields. “Hounddog”, in it’s original form, was intended to bring child sex into the mainstream of American filmation. That other films have served as “stepping stones” to this point does not justify them or this. It’s hardly “much ado about nothing”. Not if you’re a decent adult who cares about children and the environment they’re being subjected to.
March 24th, 2007 at 7:39 am
I am so excited to see this…Dakota Fanning is amazing, and so is Robin Wright Penn…anyonw who is saying it is child pornographer are just shallow…they say that about everything these sdays and yes, it is just a movie for god’s sake…anyway…I am excited to see another Dakota Fanning movie, along with the other great cast.
May 27th, 2007 at 7:28 pm
Everyone DOES need to stay out of the business!! Dakota fanning is a well known actress , her parent would never allow her to be in a PORN flick, GET OVER IT!! she’s not any body’s kid but her parents. I mean nobody said anything about the little girl who got raped in “Bastard out of Carolina” Its just a movie relax people, shes a smart kid she would have told the directors if anything made her feel uncomfortable!
June 21st, 2007 at 7:39 am
I am very eager to see this movie. I’m glad that someone in the film industry is actually pushing the audiences comfort limits. I agree with Jackie… Dakota is no one’s kid but her own parents and they wouldn’t allow her to be in a porn flick. The only reason why a catholic organization is protesting it, is because they are afraid their kids will see it, not understand what they saw and will quention their parents, which will ultimately lead them into explaining what their book goes against. Ridiculous, much? I think so. Dakota Fanning actually stated in an interview that she didn’t understand why the movie was so controversial.. she never thought it was and still doesnt know why. Most people don’t understand that things like rape, sexual abuse and molestation are actually REAL, that they go on everyday and when they see it being shot in the film industry, it’s scary. I think… or I am hoping… that this film will actually show sheltered people (not necessarily in Catholic organizations, but hopefully), what goes on in real life. Not just in movies, not just in the 1950’s- NOW.
July 1st, 2007 at 12:46 pm
Valerie considers the opposition among concerned adults to an act of overt child sexual exploitation to be “shallow”. Jackie says that parents have the right to sell their children into depravity, that a child can be an adequate judge of such things and that a similarly depraved film like “Bastard Out Of Carolina” excuses it all. Lucy goes along with this and uses it as a base to attack Christians because “they don’t understand that… sexual abuses… are actually REAL.”.
Dear Lucy: Nobody appreciates the reality of this more than caring Christian parents. That’s why they object to it being enacted by misguided child actors for the profit of perverse filmmakers. That’s why we oppose the way these children are used throughout the culture; ways that not only poison their developing minds and souls, but those of the children who follow them. Your words not only reveal you as a non-Christian They also reveal your innate contempt for any standard of decency where exploited children are involved.
July 1st, 2007 at 3:27 pm
Dear Steven: No, I am not christian, but i believe in a higher power, one that is personally to me… my grandfather (died before i was born, but i would’ve been his first grandchild), is MY higher power… I believe he is to be my guardian angel. its not that i am not a person of faith, i am, but not one from a book… in my opinion, the best way to go through life is figuring things out for yourself and if you make mistakes ‘que sera, sera’. i was in NO WAY attacking christians, and on the topic of religion: my father is christian, my mother is jewish, and i was baptized in a unitarian church… ive been surrounded but religions and faith my entire life. bit i believe that people are people… children turn into adults and sooner or later they learn about these things and find out that the world has badness in it; i can see why parents shelter their kids- thats normal for parents to do… but they cant do it forever. hollywood is hollywood, their going to do things no matter what happens, or no matter what anyone has to say about it. i personally dont think little kids (below the age of 12) should see this fim considering the content, but if they se it anyway, what wuld parents have to tell them? they cant just say it wasnt really and it doesnt really happen- it does!
lastly, my standard of decency is above anything you could imagine. as a VICTIM of being raped, i would support seeing this movie on the bare fact that most people dont really pay that much attenttion to it when it happens. a week ago a cop in a town near me was sexually assaulted in her own home, and it wasnt even in the papers. i think this movie is good because it teaches people things… maybe it could make a difference, but i doubt it with all the bad publicity. i dont think it is poisoning children’s minds for them to see people get hurt. would their parents let them play war, boxing, or sniper video games if they knew the damage it was doing? violence is part of humanity, and a lot of things would not have happened without it. i could say a lot more… but thats all im going to talk about. if this was in anyway unclear, then email me. and for the record, i respect all of your opinions.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:27 pm
I dont think she should walk around in her whitey tighties… that’s for sure, but other than that shes a really talented actress.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:32 pm
I forgot to point out that she should not be wanting to see young mens privates at such a young age………(her mother should not be allowing her to play that part.) Now don,t give me any crap, and definetly don’t be sippin the hateraid.
October 23rd, 2007 at 6:34 pm
I’m a huge fan of Dakota’s and she’s a talented actress.
October 28th, 2007 at 9:00 pm
ok 1….u ppl shouldnt be in that..its not ur shit…2 shes a wonderfull gurl…nd also its just a movie im sure they didnt let her really seee it..so plz STOP…..oh nd does any1 no when this movie is comin out in theatre?THX
October 29th, 2007 at 6:32 am
U know you people are a joke its just a movie and theres nothing wrong with the charater she is playing it was her and parents dision and I cant wait for the movie to come out.
January 2nd, 2008 at 12:08 pm
I love Dakota and i think she is an amazing actor but if your standards for your kids are low enough thatd youd put your kid thru that, somethins wrong. That poor child and her younger sister are gonna have major issues if their parents are encouraging movies like this where she is being raped and walking around in hardly anything at all
January 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
I was fortunate to have worked as an animal trainer in this movie with Dakota. Dakota, if you read this, Rosie and Hillbilly say “hi” and they’re doing well.
Dakota, Joy and Jan were delightful. They visited our home 3 days in a row. We had great fun playing with snakes and dogs.
Not only is Dakota an amazingly talent, she is one of the nicest young people I’ve ever met. She was polite, respectful and considerate of me. She was also extremely gentle with the animals.
Due to my close personal connection with this movie, I ask that those who wish pass harsh judgment lighten up a little bit. I find it hard to believe that any of the people I met would have unethical or immoral motives. On the contrary, I believe they attempted to tackle some very difficult issues as best they could.
Anyway, I just wanted to express my heartfelt opinion and wish Dakota and her family the very best in 2008. Barry Langston
January 12th, 2008 at 10:59 pm
Where is the movie at i dont see it in any theater or dvd when does it come out to watch
February 1st, 2008 at 5:01 pm
if anyone is still reading this- do you know if it was ever released?