dollyz
16 years ago
LOS ANGELES, (Sept. 19) - While studio execs would love for you to know "Hounddog" for other reasons, the way most people are familiar with the film is due to a rape scene involving then-12-year-old Dakota Fanning. After 18 months of controversy and delays, the film is finally opening.
In 2007, "Hounddog" went to the Sundance Film Festival carrying a controversy that made it the hottest ticket in town, but it left that January after getting a cold shoulder from film distributors and critics.
But now, "Hounddog," starring young Dakota Fanning, is howling again with Friday's debut in U.S. theatres roughly 18 months after its difficult Sundance premiere, and few people are as happy as its writer and director Deborah Kampmeier.
The girlhood drama kicked up a fuss even before it premiered at Sundance, the top festival for U.S. independent cinema, because religious and conservative groups objected to Kampmeier's use of then 12-year-old Fanning to depict a child rape. There was no body double.
The outcry, coupled with some negative reviews, sent distributors scurrying for the doors instead of ponying up the cash for the right to release a coming-of-age drama starring a top child actor who captured hearts in films such as Steven Spielberg's "War of the Worlds."
"It was painful, some of the responses," Kampmeier told Reuters in a recent interview. "A lot of people were projecting their own agendas on this film that had nothing to do with it.
No one wanted to see the film again" after the festival, she added.
Kampmeier said the version shown at Sundance 2007 was rushed through editing to get a version finished in time to be screened. She knew there were ways to make it better, and refused to let the experience put her or "Hounddog" down.
So, she went back to the editing room and spent nine months cutting each scene in ways that enhanced the performances and making one key change to the story's structure.
OVERCOMING TRAGEDY
"Hounddog" tells the story of a spirited 12 year-old girl named Lewellen (Fanning) growing up in the rural south with just her father. She has an interest in music and like many girls in the 1950s, Lewellen idolizes Elvis Presley. She even does a mean impersonation of the rock 'n' roll singer.
But on a dark and stormy night, she runs into trouble with a teenage boy and is raped. The pivotal scene is shot mostly in the dark with only flashes of lightning illuminating Lewellen's face as she yells "stop it."
The event serves as a turning point for young Lewellen. She must learn to cope with what happened, eventually overcome it and try to return to a normal life.
The movie "is about taking that which can poison you and turning it into something that is good. That's really what Lewellen does in the film," Kampmeier said.
But ahead of the 2007 Sundance, conservative and religious groups criticized the film's makers, Fanning, her parents and her handlers for placing a 12 year-old in a rape scene.
One group even called for a federal probe to see if child pornography laws were broken, which made for good newspaper headlines but a huge shame for the movie's makers.
"One of the things that was so upsetting was, 'what message does that send to victims of abuse?," Kampmeier said. "If Dakota is being so shamed, what message does that send to our daughters, our sisters?"
Eighteen months on, there is no longer a controversy. Fanning is 14 years-old and out promoting her upcoming movie, "The Secret Life of Bees," and Kampmeier, at last, is seeing "Hounddog" in theatres.
She calls this new version "more nuanced and layered (with) space for the performances and actors to live."
"I've had women come up to me in tears, mothers standing up in the audience who said they wanted to bring their 13 year-old daughters to see it because it was important."
Teamlasvegas
17 years ago
.065 @ .079
November 13, 2007 - 12:23 PM EST
The Motion Picture Group Completes Final Edit for ``HOUNDDOG''
The Motion Picture Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets:MPRG), a film and entertainment financing and production company, announced today that it has completed the final edit of the feature film “HOUNDDOG” and is ready to screen it for distributors with the intention of completing a sale.
Director, Deborah Kampmeier, stated, “The making of this film has been an extraordinary journey and I am grateful to The Motion Picture Group for putting their full support behind me. Having the opportunity and time to properly finish the film, without the pressure and rush of festival deadlines, has led to the ultimate reward. Our new cut is stunning. We are proud to be bringing our best work out into the world.”
Scott Franklin, Executive Producer of the film and CEO of The Motion Picture Group, added, “It has been a long and arduous process getting the film to a place where we are all so extremely happy with it. We are confident in its potential and now look forward to taking it to the market for distribution.”
About the Film:
“HOUNDDOG," a drama set in the 1950s American South, is about a troubled 12-year old girl (Dakota Fanning) who finds solace from an abusive life in the music of Elvis Presley. Presley’s music is placed strategically throughout the film, creating a mural of a melancholy life that finds its release and healing through singing the Blues.
About The Motion Picture Group, Inc.
The Motion Picture Group, Inc. was created to meet the needs of the international entertainment industry through financing and producing commercially driven motion pictures for the domestic and international arenas. The Company has produced and developed many films that have received international acclaim and are box-office successes. The corporate address is Post Office Box 1504, Tallevast, FL 34270-1504. Questions should be directed to Scott Franklin, Chief Executive Officer at (310) 492-5560 or may be emailed to scott@themotionpicturegroup.com. More information about the Company is available on the Company’s website at www.themotionpicturegroup.com.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities of The Motion Picture Group, Inc. Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are “forward looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management’s expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company’s services and projects and the Company’s continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.
The Motion Picture Group, Inc., Los Angeles
Scott Franklin, Chief Executive Officer, 310-492-5560
scott@themotionpicturegroup.com
Source: Business Wire (November 13, 2007 - 12:23 PM EST)
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Zorro
18 years ago
Got this email today:
Subject: HIGH IMPORTANCE Impossible growth today!
Date: 11/6/2006 9:02:49 P.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: woodiwissn0r8v@yahoo.com
Reply To:
To: scp383@aol.com, CC:
BCC:
Sent on:
Sent from the Internet (Details)
IMPORTANT - PAY ATTENTION - SERIOUS ISSUE
MPRG UP 19% Today Alone,
Volume UP 900% of Normal Trading!
Company: The Motion Picture Group Inc.
Symbol: MPRG
Price: $0.31 UP 19%
5 Day target: $2.50
M P R G releases news on New Keifer Sutherland Movie.
Investors are jumping on board.
Price spiked 50% and stayed up 19% at end of day.
Huge release expected first thing in the morning.
This thing can jump 50% tomorrow alone.
Read the news and Get on board with MPRG first thing Tuesday.
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____________________________
The rear hatch moving and twisting along with the chassis causes the flickering, as the When he starts talking about how great he is-like where he lives, what he drives, what he does after a few dates-you will know what kind of person he is.
I'm either too big or too smallNot to mention it looks pretty dope on your crusty-ass ride.
Which do you prefer, the front or the back?To onlookers, he is seemingly bound to induce an uncontrolled spin, but he remains calm, "Wait a minute," I mumble to myself as I fumble for the remote and quickly rewind the videotape
You need to enter your wheel and tire size into the gear-ratio calculatorThis also pertains to any aftermarket body kit that requires removing the bumper support." For those who aren't in the know, the U.S.-spec bumper support serves as a connection from the left and right side of the frontal chassis while the JDM bumper uses a separate two-piece left and right unit, which does nothing to support the frame besides holding it upCooking? I guess you have to do that to live.I don't watch that show too often
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lady*b
18 years ago
MPRG: The Motion Picture Group, Inc. Co-Finances ''HOUND DOG,'' a Feature Film Starring Dakota Fanning
The Motion Picture Group, Inc. (Pink Sheets: MPRG), a production finance and services company, announced today that it co-financed "HOUND DOG" starring Dakota Fanning and Robin Wright-Penn. Written and directed by Deborah Kampmeier, the film also stars David Morse and Afemo Omilami. The film is currently in post-production.
"HOUND DOG," a drama set in the 1960s American South, follows the life of a troubled 12-year old girl (Dakota Fanning) who finds solace from an abusive life through blues music. Blues music is delicately woven throughout this touching film to create a colorful tapestry of a melancholy life that finds release and healing through the signing of the Blues.
Co-President Henri Kessler stated: "We were thrilled to work with this tremendously talented group. We know the importance of being a filmmaker-friendly company and pride ourselves in going to great lengths to work closely with each film's creator to maintain the original vision for the project."
Currently, The Motion Picture Group has one feature film in theatrical release, one feature film in post-production, one feature film in pre-production, and has options on several film properties. The Company is taking an aggressive view toward film financing, is negotiating a large credit facility needed to finance its planned 15-picture slate, and is continuing to look for creative production and financing opportunities.
ABOUT THE MOTION PICTURE GROUP, INC.
Founded by Henri Kessler, Scott Franklin, and Pliny Porter, The Motion Picture Group, Inc. was created to meet the needs of the international entertainment industry through financing and producing commercially driven motion pictures for the domestic and international arenas. The Company's management team has produced and developed many films that have received international acclaim and are box-office successes.
Corporate offices are located at 8157 Mulholland Terrace, Los Angeles, California 90046. Questions may be directed to Henri Kessler, Co-President at (310) 492-5560 or may be emailed to info@themotionpicturegroup.com. More information about the Company and its management is available on the Company's website at www.themotionpicturegroup.com.
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy securities of The Motion Picture Group, Inc. Certain statements in this release and other written or oral statements made by or on behalf of the Company are "forward looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Statements regarding future events and developments and our future performance, as well as management's expectations, beliefs, plans, estimates or projections relating to the future are forward-looking statements within the meaning of these laws. The forward looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including market acceptance of the Company's services and projects and the Company's continued access to capital and other risks and uncertainties. The actual results the Company achieves may differ materially from any forward-looking statements due to such risks and uncertainties. These statements are based on our current expectations and speak only as of the date of such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise.
The Motion Picture Group, Inc.
Henri Kessler, 310-492-5560
Source: Business Wire (September 22, 2006 - 3:15 PM EST)
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OTC BB King
18 years ago
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