Did you know there’s a movie starring a young Dakota Fanning that’s banned from distribution outside North America? Yep, that’s right. It’s the 2007 musical/drama Hounddog, and it’s one you might not have heard much about.
While films with controversial scenes usually stick around despite initial buzz, some really push the boundaries to the point of being banned in certain regions.
Take Hounddog for instance, a film that even after its debut, still carries a lot of weight in conversations about film controversies.
Featuring alongside stars like Piper Laurie, David Morse, Robin Wright Penn, and Isabelle Fuhrman, the film dives into some seriously tough themes.
The official movie synopsis explains: “Lewellen (Dakota Fanning) lives with her grandmother (Piper Laurie) in Alabama. Though unable to care for her himself, Lewellen’s father (David Morse) tries to connect with his daughter through Elvis Presley’s music.
“After her father’s girlfriend (Robin Wright Penn) – with whom Lewellen has a special bond – leaves, Lewellen suffers a horrible sexual assault and is traumatized. With some aid from Elvis’ music, Lewellen’s friend Charles (Afemo Omilami) helps her work through her pain.”
Set in 1956, Hounddog has sparked debates over its legality outside North America due to its controversial content.
The movie first came under fire after a screening at the Sundance Film Festival in January 2007, where Dakota Fanning, then only 12, participated in a rape scene.
The scene caused a huge uproar, leading to the film being initially held back from theatrical release, although it was eventually released in September of the next year.
Upon its release, Hounddog faced boycotts and significant backlash, with critics claiming the film had exploited its young star.
Despite the rocky start, Hounddog was later released for home video. However, it remains illegal to distribute the film outside North America, specifically due to its depiction of child sexual abuse.
And if you’re wondering, the movie didn’t fare well critically either. It’s still sitting at a dismal 15 percent on Rotten Tomatoes.
One review from the San Francisco Chronicle described it as a “distasteful mess… sunk up to its neck in a brew of Southern Gothic atmosphere and hocus-pocus sentimentality.”
Meanwhile, the Chicago Tribune noted, “Only Fanning’s emotional honesty makes Hounddog watchable.”
It seems that no matter how much time passes, the controversy surrounding Houndog continues to provoke discussion about the boundaries of storytelling in film.