The Dakota Fanning film "Hounddog" is still causing lots of controversy … even after it debuted to a mediocre response up at Sundance. Seems the fine state of North Carolina is oh so concerned about the kind of subject matter that’s being lensed in their backyards — and they’re taking steps to "approve" screenplays before filmmakers will be offered admittance.
The (alleged) new law would apply only to productions that take advantage of North Carolina’s "filmmaker incentive" program, which basically means that if a production wants to earn up to 15% of their budget back, thanks to tax credits, they must have their screenplay pre-approved before the shoot begins.
Or productions could just go to one of NC’s bordering states and not deal with all the hassle. Word from The Wilmington Star indicates that this action is by no means a done deal, but it sure seems like the North Carolina politicians are trying to make a pointless little statement. One like "Oh dear, you made a movie in our state, and that movie deals with a young girl who is sexually molested. Therefore we must step forward and act all offended, just so you know we don’t approve of child abuse — even the fictional kind."
That’s just the way I see it, anyway. (Click here for the full story.) And I’m sure this extended bout of extra controversy doesn’t bother the "Hounddog" filmmakers all that much….
