Hounddog (2007 film)
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| Hounddog | |
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| Directed by | Deborah Kampmeier |
| Produced by | Deborah Kampmeier |
| Starring | Dakota Fanning Isabelle Fuhrman Cody Hanford |
| Release date(s) | August 17, 2006 |
| Running time | 93 min. |
| Country | USA |
| Language | English |
| IMDb profile | |
Hounddog is a film written, directed and produced by Deborah Kampmeier and starring child actress Dakota Fanning. Robin Wright Penn serves as an executive producer (and also has an acting role, as Stranger Lady). The film was produced by Raye Dowell, Jen Gatien and Terry Leonard. It premiered in competition at the 2007 Sundance Film Festival.
Taking place in the 1960s American South (the film was shot in North Carolina), Fanning plays Lewellen, "a troubled 12-year-old girl who finds solace from an abusive life through blues music. This music is delicately woven throughout the film to create a colorful tapestry of a melancholy life that finds release and healing through the music of Elvis Presley, whose character appears in the movie, albeit briefly, and the singing of the blues."[1]
The film garnered a great deal of attention, and generated significant controversy, due to the use of such a young actress in the lead role. The controversy at one point caused the film's financial backers to withdraw, and production was halted while additional financing was arranged. Specifically, there were concerns because the screenplay called for Fanning to appear nude, to appear in nothing but underwear and to appear in what has been described as a rape scene. However, the scene in question had already been filmed when funding was withdrawn, and additional investors were found to replace the shortfall.[2][3][4]
Another Deborah Kampmeier movie involving a rape is Virgin, which also features Robin Wright Penn.
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[edit] Reactions
Because of the outcry over Hounddog, North Carolina State Senator and majority leader Phil Berger called for all future films made in North Carolina to have their scripts approved in advance if they are to get the normal production subsidy from the state. Berger says that he has not seen the film but is acting in response to what he has read about it.[5]
[edit] Cast
- Dakota Fanning as Lewellen
- Isabelle Fuhrman as Grasshopper
- Cody Hanford as Buddy
- David Morse as Daddy
- Robin Wright Penn as Stranger Lady
- Christoph Sanders as Wooden's Boy
[edit] References
- ^ "THE MOTION PICTURE GROUP, INC. CO-FINANCES HOUND DOG", themotionpicturegroup.com, 2006-09-22.
- ^ http://www.nydailynews.com/news/gossip/story/436553p-367837c.html
- ^ http://www.parkrecord.com/ci_5047356?source=rss
- ^ http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246698,00.html
- ^ "Republican: Scripts need reviewing - Movie prompts lawmaker's film incentive idea", The Star-News
[edit] External links
- Premiere Magazine: Behind the Hounddog Controversy
- Exit Interviews from Sundance Screening Video.
- A Look at the Film by the Film Perspective
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