Sexualizing of children in movies ...

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  • Sexualizing of children in movies ...

    Well, I was very uneasy when Gregg Araki dwelt (and to me, one might accuse him of 'lingering') on his homosexual child-molestation scenes and themes in MYSTERIOUS SKIN ... and now Dakota Fanning (who I think is an amazing actress) is in an upcoming movie featuring her in rape scenes (or so the headlines go) ???

    http://groups.google.com/group/alt.g...889f570e?hl=en

    NY DAILY NEWS/LLOYD GROVE...
    Cute-as-a-button child star Dakota Fanning, who turned 12 in February,
    is venturing into sexually disturbing territory in a movie being filmed
    in North Carolina.

    The screenplay for "Hounddog" - a dark story of abuse, violence and
    Elvis Presley adulation in the rural South, written and directed by
    Deborah Kampmeier - 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 ...

    ... "The two taboos in Hollywood are child abuse and the killing of
    animals," a source close to the situation told me. "In this movie, both
    things happen."
    I know child abuse is a terrible and growing reality in society ... and Art reflects reality, etc ...

    I understand both the films undoubtedly depict child sexualization as a terrible, scarring crime ... (though, again, Gregg Araki films leave a creepy bad aftertaste on my psyche)

    But does anyone see a trend here of the media capitalizing (dare I say "commercializing") on the tititllation of these things? Sweep weeks on tv are full of stories about internet child-predators, it's creeping into fiction ...

    Yes, I hear the tone of righteous disapproval and shock ... but I still see the topic becoming more common, more titillating, more exploited and exploitational ...

    The media used to be full (still is) with the titillation and sexualization of Rape (under whatever guise) ... anyone afraid the sick entertainment thrill of THAT is wearing thin ... so it's moving out to the more extreme "rush" of sexualizing KIDS?

    Anyone see it as a bad and dangerous trend?

    Or am I just knotted up over nothing?



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    "As human beings, our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world -
    that is the myth of the atomic age - as in being able to remake ourselves."
    -Mahatma Gandhi.

  • #2
    Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

    When these kinds of films become mainstream entertainment, you'll have something to worry about. Until then, these are art films with very limited audiences. This Hounddog is only getting press because Dakota's in it. Just as Birth only got press thanks to Nicole Kidman (she appears naked in a bathtub with an underage boy). Akari's films don't register outside the gay and indie communities. Nobody I know who wasn't a cineaste or filmmaker has seen Mysterious Skin, which is his only watchable film. In fact, I can't believe it's the same filmmaker. It's as though he finally figured out how to make a movie.
    http://confoundedfilms.com

    http://www.myspace.com/confoundedfilms

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    • #3
      Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

      Originally posted by tabula rasa
      Well, I was very uneasy when Gregg Araki dwelt (and to me, one might accuse him of 'lingering') on his homosexual child-molestation scenes and themes in MYSTERIOUS SKIN ... and now Dakota Fanning (who I think is an amazing actress) is in an upcoming movie featuring her in rape scenes (or so the headlines go) ???

      http://groups.google.com/group/alt.g...889f570e?hl=en



      I know child abuse is a terrible and growing reality in society ... and Art reflects reality, etc ...

      I understand both the films undoubtedly depict child sexualization as a terrible, scarring crime ... (though, again, Gregg Araki films leave a creepy bad aftertaste on my psyche)

      But does anyone see a trend here of the media capitalizing (dare I say "commercializing") on the tititllation of these things? Sweep weeks on tv are full of stories about internet child-predators, it's creeping into fiction ...

      Yes, I hear the tone of righteous disapproval and shock ... but I still see the topic becoming more common, more titillating, more exploited and exploitational ...

      The media used to be full (still is) with the titillation and sexualization of Rape (under whatever guise) ... anyone afraid the sick entertainment thrill of THAT is wearing thin ... so it's moving out to the more extreme "rush" of sexualizing KIDS?
      I would like to see these "Internet predator" movies go away because they make parents and conservatives paranoid of any kind of relationship between an adult and a child. I think there's a region in Australia (Aussies help me out here) where a bill might be passed that would make it illegal for any adult to be seen alone with a child.

      That's paranoia if I've ever heard it.

      Just last week, they busted a 20 year old kid (son of football star, Steve Largent) because he had sex with an underage girl. They'll probably brandish him a "sexual predator" and exile him to a fvcking island cause he wanted to get laid.

      These "groups" of people out there get all worked up about this stuff and start believing no one over 18 should be near their precious 16 year old child. Then they want Scarlet Letters on people who have committed sexual crimes.

      Murderers too?

      No, they only killed someone. That's okay in the United States. Just don't let those "sexual predators" near my children.

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      • #4
        Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

        There's a yearbook picture taken in my last year of teaching at a NY private school. In a full-page photo, I'm walking with a ninth-grade girl. Her arm is around me, mine around her. We're deep in conversation, undoubtedly about something academic. (She's now all grown up, married and working for one of the most successful songwriters in the animation field.)

        A lot of people who've seen that have said, "These days you'd be arrested even for tapping her on the shoulder." And of course they're right. But sometimes a student going through the turmoil of middle school needs to be reassured in such a way--a friendly hand on the arm, a hug, whatever. Especially when the parents are too busy or too divorced to spend time with these kids.

        Nowadays, though, you just have to step back and walk away.

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        • #5
          Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

          Can't do anything about the film itself, except not see it (which I won't), but man, Daktoa's parents agreed to let her do the rape scene because they thought it'd be an Oscar vehicle for her. How sick is that?
          Passion Fuels Passion

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          • #6
            Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

            Originally posted by tabula rasa
            But does anyone see a trend here of the media capitalizing (dare I say "commercializing") on the tititllation of these things? Sweep weeks on tv are full of stories about internet child-predators, it's creeping into fiction ...

            Yes, I hear the tone of righteous disapproval and shock ... but I still see the topic becoming more common, more titillating, more exploited and exploitational ...

            So who should really be faulted here- "the media" or "the folks" who eat this stuff up and deliver the big ratings for these stories?

            Viewers can pretend to be ourtaged or disturbed by these stories but they prefer it ddelivered in the most exploitational manner possible.

            The broadcast which is willing to replay a bit of salacious video ad infinitum during their coverage is the one that gets the ratings.

            Need a ratings bump? Run a story about internet predators, the porn industry, strip clubs, teachers sleeping with students or child molesters and include some pixilated footage.

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            • #7
              Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

              Jake: And of course they're right. But sometimes a student going through the turmoil of middle school needs to be reassured in such a way--a friendly hand on the arm, a hug, whatever. Especially when the parents are too busy or too divorced to spend time with these kids.
              I agree, Jake, and was fortunate enough to live on the same rural street as the Board of Education and spent many after school visits, when I was a prepubescent [10], with an English Professor [60s] and wouldn't change it for the world - since he taught me to believe in myself after my parents divorce.

              KWV

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              • #8
                Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                Originally posted by Gorilla King
                Can't do anything about the film itself, except not see it (which I won't), but man, Daktoa's parents agreed to let her do the rape scene because they thought it'd be an Oscar vehicle for her. How sick is that?
                it sounds a lot like jon benet ramsey, honestly.


                still no puke emoticon??

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                • #9
                  Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                  You know this is Bull**** but when there's smoke, someone did lit that fire/sparkle. I personally love kids. I was almost a father once and knowing what happened to me, I do care a lot for them. Childhood is a beautiful moment and has to remain that way...But overprotection does lead to abuse on its own. Blame it on society, parenthood, what/whoever, I do feel odd when I see a cute child and not be able to say anything because I might be seen as a pervert. I got plenty of pictures when I grew up in the 70's and 80's when I was with much older people than me. Some of these pics, like Tonton Jake, would make some blemish.
                  "The Kid is on this old man's laps and he's smiling! OMG"
                  Certain gestures of affection can lead others to think you're gay/pedophile/whateverphile...That's just sad. Really.
                  A talent for drama is not a talent for writing, but is an ability to articulate human relationships.
                  Gore Vidal

                  "Aisatsu Yori Ensatsu"
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                  • #10
                    Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                    This makes me think of About a Boy, which is one of my favorite movies anyway. If anyone doesn't know, it shows the relationship between Hugh Grant's character, who is a 30-something single man living alone, and a lonely 12-year-old boy who lives with his suicidal mom and just needs a friend who will be there for him and help him deal.

                    At one point the mom actually accuses Grant's character of abusing her son, since it does look suspicious from the outside: the boy goes to Grant's place after school virtually every day. But in reality they have a connection as people, and there is nothing sexual about their relationship.

                    So I guess that's the other side of the coin depicted in film.


                    P.S. Grant is awesome in the role. So is the boy, whose name I don't recall.
                    "Your intuition knows what to write, so get out of the way.-
                    ― Ray Bradbury

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                    • #11
                      Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                      It is a real bummer what's happening in schools nowadays, Jake. You wonder who's coming to these conclusions and why.

                      As far as movies, a few Jodie Foster roles were really hardcore. I think Brooke Sheilds had a few racy ones when she was underage as well. May be completely different in context, but those spring to mind.

                      It's hard to figure out the cause and effect for these types of patterns.

                      Either way, the DF movie isn't something I'd be too keen on watching.
                      https://actbreakdown.com

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                      • #12
                        Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                        Of course, another of my students went on to run the biggest call-girl business in the world out of L.A. (and served time for it)!

                        She never needed anything from me but a passing grade.

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                        • #13
                          Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                          This isn't the first time a child has been raped in a film., but if they are actually going to show it, it is in poor taste. It reeks of what I call, HowardStern-ism...using shock factor under the guise of expression for profit. Understandable from empty-headed adults who crave attention, but to exploit a child for profit...you can't go much lower.


                          Audiences are intelligent. It's not necessary to view the action to know it has happened. A small child was raped on The Shield and they never had to show us anything other than the calling card of the rapist...a small tattoo on the child's face.

                          Just my two cents...
                          Felicitations, malefactors! I am endeavoring to misappropriate the formulary for the preparation of saleable screenplays. WHO WILL JOIN ME!

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                          • #14
                            Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                            Agree with Writerman..it's the shock value. People are numb. They've seen all the naughty stuff and they need something naughtier.

                            Why don't they log on to Angryarab.com" and see the toasted
                            children in Lebanon?

                            Anyway, as writers in the business, might not we one day be asked to write some scene that seems too blatant and exploitive?

                            Oh, the conflicts of show business...

                            IT'S NOT EASY OUT HERE FOR A PIMP!
                            myhomeconvalesceblog

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                            • #15
                              Re: Sexualizing of children in movies ...

                              I've seen The Exorcist many times...stills scares the bejesus out of me...but I've never seen the uncut version that had the crucifix scene...and I never will.

                              I don't need to see it to get the full impact.
                              Seeing something like that would have made me hate the film.
                              Felicitations, malefactors! I am endeavoring to misappropriate the formulary for the preparation of saleable screenplays. WHO WILL JOIN ME!

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