The Brunswick County Sheriff is investigating criminal allegations regarding the production of the movie Hound Dog, staring 12 year old Dakota Fanning. A citizens' complaint of a possible violation of law, as it pertains to the filming of Dakota Fanning in several sexual scenarios, including one scenario ending in the pretend rape of young Dakota as she acted the part of a 9 year old, brought about an immediate response by the Sheriff.
When word first hit the press in a New York Daily News article of the poster child for innocence being in a rape scene naked or partially clothed only in her underwear, the global media went crazy for a short while posing the question about these scenes being necessary. No discussion about whether or not they were legally obtained from the 12 year old actress. The internet stayed in high gear though. Email chains of protest, bloggers in disbelief and rumors of worse scenarios floating about on the web.

The Blue Line first got a hold of the script back in June. It was a revised version dated the end of May. We have pulled out some excerpts from the script and have had emails saying everything from one reader being nauseous and another promising to do everything she can to warn people of this movie.

There have been many people in the film business coming forward expressing their concern. There was an important Bill in front of legislators and a vote pending that could bring future jobs to the film industry of North Carolina by offering an incentive or kick back to film companies shooting and spending money in NC.

There were also some people telling us what they saw and heard about the questionable scenes. Some people maybe too eager to share the gossip due to the way the crew was treated by production. The crew was angry.
We have, in the past few days now that we have time, talked more with more crew members and have heard little about nudity. In fact we have now been told with certainty that there was absolutely no nudity on set during the filming of the rape scene. That the actress just appeared to be nude. However we have various reports to exactly what she was wearing which included a body stocking and also a report of her dressed only in her underpants and pasties.

No matter. It could still be a crime.

North Carolina State Law (NCGS 14-190.16 (a) (4) ) which states that it shall be the First Degree Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, a serious Felony Offense in which records, photographs, films, develops, or duplicates for sale or pecuniary gain material that contains a visual representation depicting a minor engaged in sexual activity.

People can be involved in a sex act while wearing clothes. Evidence of this was left behind on a blue dress in the Oval Office a few years ago. So just because someone is dressed does not mean anything according to the law. Basically what the law says is that if you witness this scene and believe that a sex act (a representation of a sex act) took place with a child then that is enough to bring Felony charges and perhaps to convict (a jury makes those sort of decisions) and sentence someone to time in prison.

The North Carolina Sheriff of Brunswick County Ron Hewitt knows now that a great deal of this movie was shot in his county. He was unaware of this film's story content until last week. Sheriff Hewitt acted immediately upon discovery.

The investigation is taking the following course of action: contacted the Brunswick County District Attorney's Office, assign a Special Crimes Unit Detective to assist any agency needing help, contact was made with the New Hanover District Attorney's Office, Bob Farb of The Institute of  Government, (Author of Arrest Search and Seizure in North Carolina) and the Innocent Images Divisions of  the S.B.I., the staff has researched internet sites with information about this movie.

Within a day the Sheriff received Bob Farb's findings and forwarded them on to the DA.

There is no word on how the investigation is going, what if any discovery has been made or if or when there be any charges filed.

As we stated on this site back in June, we certainly hope that the producers of this movie had the sense enough to obey the laws regarding the child actress' involvement in sex acts. It would be horrible for such a talented young child to be damaged by any parental negligence or undo psychological pressure by the film makers. A spokesperson from the production company stated that a child welfare worker was onset during the filming allowing us to believe that someone with knowledge of the State laws pertaining to the sexual exploitation of a minor was watching over Dakota and yet we have found that this "welfare worker" is the set tutor or teacher as required by the actors union, SAG. Since North Carolina has no child labor laws when it pertains to child actors it is reasonable to assume that child actors can be made to work the same as adults. SAG protects children from that by making sure the children get proper school education and appropriate breaks from the set.

Those on set working with Miss Fanning called her the most professional and talented child actor they have worked with. But many of them whispered the concern they shared about the subject of the script and how they couldn't imagine it not effecting her someday.

Writer-director Deborah Kampmeier is also a method acting coach, she wrote and directed a previous movie about a 13 year old that was raped and gave birth to a christchild. The movie received terrible reviews and died with little to no fanfare. Supporters of the film have made claim that this movie will be a landmark picture that is sure to aid in the healing of victims of childhood abuse by bringing about an understanding because of the brilliant portrayal of a victim by Dakota Fanning's role. Others call it the sexual exploitation of a child.

From the rape scene. Script obtained titled Hound Dog that claims to written by Deborah Kampmeier no comment either verifying or denying its authenticity.

LIGHTNING FLASHES
We see Lewellen's face as she tries to open her mouth to
make the sound.
LIGHTNING FLASHES
We see her arm reach out, her hand graspin for somethin to
hold on to. She only finds the end of the rusty nail comin
out of the old two by four. Her breath catches, tears stream.
The palm of her hand presses down on to the nail.

WOODEN’S BOY (CONT'D)
You...nigga...lover...Go...
on...sing...yer...Elvis.. SING!
...YER!...ELVIS!...
LIGHTNING FLASHES
As we’re close on Lewellen’s pale white face an Wooden’s
Boy’s red, pock scarred, sweaty face rubbin next to hers.
Lewellen’s eyes roll in her head over to Buddy. Buddy frozen
in place bursts into hysterical laughter as her eyes catch
his. Not a laughter of pleasure but one of terror. He cannot
stop laughin. He tries to stop himself but he can’t.
Lewellen’s tense hand pressin down on the nail like the pain
there could catch her an hold her.
The sound of Buddy’s laughter.
LIGHTNING FLASHES
Lewellen’s hand. A drop of blood runs down the nail drippin
onto the two by four

We thought long and hard a week ago as we prepared to make these reports public. We questioned first of all if anyone would even care. Then we questioned ourselves about whether or not the controversy, should people care, cause more damage than the on camera sex scenes? We have serious doubts that this movie will ever receive Elvis Presley's estate to grant permission to use the King's music. So it will suffer distribution problems the same as Bastard Out of Carolina and Lolita did. Both movies about raping children, both shot in Wilmington.

This is not a proud moment for those living and working inside the film community of Wilmington. I am one of them. I have worked for the past 18 years in the film business and find it hard to speak out against this movie because of the friendship I have with those others economically dependant on a positive reflection into the still non-confrontational waters of a tranquil and obedient location. And here I go anyway tossing a rock into the small pond.

 

TRE BENSON- Blue Line Radio

To be continued...
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