Saturday, January 20, 2007
Sundance, Day 2 (1/19/07)
I began my day by chatting live with anchors Jim Clancy and Ralitsa Vassileva on CNN International about the festival, who's in town, and which films are getting the most buzz.

"Hounddog," starring Dakota Fanning, is already swirling in controversy due to what's being described as a brutal rape scene featuring Dakota. The 12-year old actress plays a precocious, troubled child who finds solace in the music and moves of Elvis Presley. Dakota has refused to speak with CNN about the movie. Why, we're not sure. When I find out I'll let you know.

I'll be screening "Hounddog" in a few days and will give you my own perspective on this controversial film.

Actor Steve Buscemi stopped by for an appearance on our entertainment show, "Showbiz Tonight" on CNN Headline News. Steve, a Sundance veteran, has not one, but two films here this year. First, Buscemi plays a paparazzo in the satire "Delirious," which pokes fun at fame in Hollywood and all those involved, including paparazzi, publicists, and stars.

Buscemi's second film, which he directs and stars in, also speaks to the nature of celebrity. "Interview" with Sienna Miller dissects journalistic ethics and the idea of celebrity in our culture today. Steve told me his family will be joining him here in Park City to enjoy the weekend.

As he was leaving our workspace, we offered Steve a limited edition CNN ice scraper, in honor of his performance in "Fargo." He declined to take it. I guess he didn't appreciate our sense of humor.

The co-directors of the documentary "The Devil Came on Horseback," Ricki Stern and Annie Sundberg, joined me on CNN International to talk about their heartbreaking film. "Devil" is a disturbing, eye-opening look at the horrific civil conflict in Darfur.

More to come tomorrow ... Philip Seymour Hoffman, Laura Linney and Kevin Bacon are on the schedule!

By the way, it's a crisp 8 degrees here in Park City as I'm writing this. I've been bundled up in three layers of clothes all day! This is quite a weather adjustment for a California girl!
Very interested to hear your thoughts on "Hounddog". It seems that it is getting the most buzz at this year's festival. I love Dakota, however it does appear that this particular role, more specifically "the scene", may have been a bit too mature in nature for her. Also interested to read reviews on some of the festivals' top films.
I hope the focus is on the movies and not the Parties and swag. As a Park City resident it takes away from the true meaning of Sundance.
I understand Hollywood has it's concerns over the scene, however, there is a need for people to know this sort of thing happens everyday. No one wants to see a child abused in any kind of way, but it happens. Additional, there was nothing said about the brutal rape scene in the movie "A Time To Kill".
Never is it okay to protray children in sexually violent scenes. I can guarantee you that every pedophile out there will be enjoying the movie! A bid for an oscar is a sick reason for her parents to allow her to be filmed in that manner. In no way is the film like taxie driver or pretty baby- get real! when do we draw to line- tell the family to move to vermount. i'm sure the movie will be a big hit...
I am a mother of a now 18 year old daughter who was brutally raped at 13. She absolutly loves every movie that Dakota has done from the very beginning of her career. I am APPALLED that alot of the people responding to the movie Houndog think it is no big deal that Dakota will play a rape victim!! Even if she is acting,rape comes with alot of baggage!!!
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