UPDATE: DreamWorks/Stiller Offensive Film

08 August 2008

UPDATE—DreamWorks met on Wednesday with disability community leaders and disability-rights groups including The Arc of the United States and leadership from Special Olympics to discuss offensive portrayals and “hate speech” language in Ben Stiller’s new film “Tropic Thunder” and its promotional materials. Chip Sullivan, head of publicity for DreamWorks, said the meeting was “very productive”; however, disability rights groups have not yet said the same. Disability advocacy groups will view the film soon and respond again to the studio. DreamWorks removed the “Simple Jack” website associated with the film from the Web. The Arc (http://www.thearc.org/) is preparing local and state chapters for a movie boycott if concerns remain.

SOURCES:
“DreamWorks: Simple Jack "Retard" Movie Offended People So We Took Site Down”
http://www.businesssheet.com/2008/8/dreamworks-simple-jack-retard-movie-offended-people-so-we-took-site-down
Stiller Screens New Film for Disability Groups
http://www.pr-inside.com/stiller-screens-new-film-for-disability-r745384.htm
“DreamWorks "Retard" Scandal Update: Disability-Rights Groups to Watch "Tropic Thunder," See If They Are Offended”
http://www.businesssheet.com/2008/8/dreamworks-retard-scandal-update-disability-rights-groups-to-watch-tropic-thunder-see-if-they-are-offended

RELATED:
Patricia E. Bauer blogs about Wednesday’s meeting:
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/2008/08/07/tropic-thunder-meeting/
View the ARC memo through Patricia Bauer’s blog:
http://www.patriciaebauer.com/aug-5-berns-memo/

Paralympic Torch International Route Out

06 August 2008

The Beijing 2008 Organizing Committee for the Olympic Games (BOCOG) cancelled the international portion of the Paralympic Games torch relay route last week. Officially, the cancellation is due to the impact of the 12 May earthquake. Clearly though, the Committee also wants to avoid a repeat of the protests of Olympic torch’s international tour. The BOCOG made the decision after the International Olympic Committee warned of blowback from new negative Chinese comments about the Dalai Lama and Tibet. The Paralympic torch relay began in 1988, but this year would have been its international debut. The relay had included Hong Kong and three future Olympic cities in Canada, England, and Russia. The torch relay will still take place in China. The Paralympics begin 06 September. The official mascot is shown above, right.
SOURCES:
“China Cancels Paralympic Torch Relay”
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/asia/article4219451.ece
“Canceled by Beijing: Overseas Paralympic Torch Relay”
http://blogs.wsj.com/chinajournal/2008/06/25/canceled-by-beijing-overseas-paralympic-torch-relay/
“World Paralympic Torch Relay Cancelled”
http://uk.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idUKPEK30825620080625?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
“International Paralympic Torch Relay Cancelled”
http://2008gamesbeijing.com/international-paralympic-torch-relay-cancelled/
RELATED:
Official Website of Beijing Paralympic Games:
http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/
http://en.paralympic.beijing2008.cn/torchrelay/
“China Revamps Paralympics Guidebook”
China revised its handbook for volunteers at the Paralympics after protests. Helen McCabe, disability expert, discusses the new version and the Paralympic Games in the disability community on National Public radio (NPR)
Listen to NPR Audio: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=91831786

DreamWorks, Stiller’s Tropic Thunder “Retard” Offends

05 August 2008

The about-to-be-released Ben Stiller flick “Tropic Thunder” includes offensive remarks about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities and a character named “Simple Jack”. Movie marketing materials refer to him as a “retard”. The movie also features a character in blackface. Disability rights groups are protesting and DreamWorks executives will meet with disability advocates this Wednesday. A DreamWorks Chief Executive says, “I’m proud of the movie. It is hysterically funny. I do think it’s got its heart in the right place.” Tropic Thunder is rated “R”. In addition to stars Ben Stiller and Robert Downey, Jr., Jack Black, Matthew McConaughey, Steve Coogan, Nick Nolte, and Tom Cruise also appear in the film.
SOURCES:
"Dreamworks to Meet With Disability Groups" http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/05/arts/05artsDREAMWORKSTO_BRF.html?ref=arts
"Ben Stiller - Stiller Movie in Disability Row"

http://www.contactmusic.com/news.nsf/article/stiller%20movie%20in%20disability%20row_1076449
"New Film Tests Crudity’s Limits"

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/08/02/movies/02trop.html

RELATED:
Patricia E. Bauer Addresses the Film Fray:
· http://www.patriciaebauer.com/
DreamWorks Animation Stock Downgraded, Falling:
· http://www.forbes.com/feeds/ap/2008/07/30/ap5271924.html
· http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=awaI3ASDxVWk&refer=home
· http://online.barrons.com/article/SB121745096033198073.html?mod=googlenews_barrons (Barrons requires subscription)