Blogs are supposed to be personal. They are not a reflection of HP but a glimpse into the thoughts of the writer. The idea is to share your thoughts, to seed conversation, or to simply entertain. In many ways, the role of a blogger is not unlike the role of a movie’s writer, director or producer.

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Deborah Kampmeier, writer, producer and director of “Hounddog”, said that it took her years to bring this movie to life. And although not years, it has taken me quite a long time to write my review of this film. I want to be accurate and quote the facts. I want to be articulate in explaining why I believe this film should be bought and made available for viewers who want to see it. I want to be unbiased and unemotional about the topic and not stoop the level of critics who stirred a fuss well before this movie was shown and to those who continue fueling the controversy even now.

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I guess the problem is that I can’t be unbiased. I can’t be unemotional. This is a difficult, beautiful, disturbing, uplifting, and emotional film. The topics it covers --poverty, class, race, rape, the wounding, strength and recovery of the human spirit -- are important to me. It is a film that can (and should) seed conversation and get people to talk. The problem we have right now is that people are talking about the content of the film without the benefit of seeing it and understanding the context. Or worse, they are providing a literal commentary on the film without reference to the emotional currents that appear in words unspoken.

According to the synopsis provided in the Sundance Film Guide, “Hounddog” is “A southern Gothic tale about a girl finding strength to overcome debilitating obstacles. . . . . Like a lily growing in the swamp, Lewellen, a precocious southern girl, radiates splendor amidst the murk that surrounds her. She is being raised by her abusive father and disciplinarian grandmother, and finds comfort, joy, and strength in music -- she is obsessed with Elvis Presley and breaks into his songs whenever the mood strikes.” ¹

After being lured into a barn with the promise of tickets to an Elvis concert, Lewellen is raped and left alone. She loses her radiance. She loses her ability to sing and ignore the sadness of her life. Before that incident, she seems to endure a host of difficult circumstances: poverty, class discrimination, emotional and physical abuse. But it’s the sexual abuse that wounds her to the point of nightmares and silence. Thanks to the tender support of Charles, the farmhand who encourages Lewellen to speak out, sing and forbid her sorrow to consume her, Lewellen begins to come back to life.

I want you to note the difference in opinion between Roger Friedman's review (Fox News) and my review of the movie, as outlined above. In his review, Mr. Friedman states: “Since I am one of the few who’ve actually seen it, let me explain something important. There is no point that I can find to the child’s rape. Once it happens, it’s never discussed. The culprit is never accused or apprehended. The child never tells her story to anyone. There’s no great moment of revelation that could possibly help someone who’s watching the film. It’s simply there for shock value.” ²

I guess Mr. Friedman missed how withdrawn and sad Lewellen became. I guess he didn’t understand the imagery of snakes in her nightmares or the metaphor delivered through her inability to sing. Clearly, he doesn’t see how most victims of sexual violence feel isolated, alone, and afraid to tell the secret of their experiences. He also doesn’t seem to understand that, just like in the film, most abusers are never accused or apprehended.

To me, that is a key message in this movie. We know about rape; we read about abuse. But unless it has happened to us, we don’t really understand the impact that these experiences can have on a person. Deborah Kampmeier seems to understand this. In her post-movie discussion, she said, “Maybe people just need to see this to finally understand.”

But this movie is about more than understanding the impact of rape. The movie ends with an example of how, working together, we can lift each others’ burdens and prevent the bad experiences in our lives from overtaking our spirits. The old adage “That which does not kill us makes us stronger” only applies if you work to apply it. Thankfully, Lewellen has Charles to show her a path to regain strength and spirit.

I’m glad I saw this movie. I can’t say I enjoyed it, but it told a story that I believe needs to be told. I am hopeful that it will be sold. If others have the ability to see this movie and judge for themselves, then we can begin a truly meaningful and well-informed conversation about the topics and experiences covered in “Hounddog.”

Footnotes:

1. festival.sundance.org/2007/
2. http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246698,00.html

sundance, sundance film festival, sundance film 2007, hp, hewlett packard, hounddog, deborah kampmeier, dakota fanning, robin wright penn