MovieChat Forums > Something About Amelia (1984) Discussion > Roxana Zal made this movie!!

Roxana Zal made this movie!!

posted 19 years ago by fiatlux-1
13 replies | jump to latest

Roxana Zal was such a great actress in this movie. You could see her potential here.

When I first saw this movie years ago, I remember thinking that it was very well done, that the extremely taboo topic of incest was handled so tactfully.
And I remember thinking that it was chilling to think that a family that looked so "everyday" was hiding such secrets!! Makes you wonder how many families are dealing with this particular issue today.

You don't see movies about this topic anymore. Which is a shame, since it portrayed all sides of the story. And it said that it was O.K to tell someone so maybe kids/older children would see its allright to talk about it with someone.

The only thing that did bug me about this film was, that Ted Danson's character never reveals why he did what he did. He says he doesn't know (???) . Surely you don't just commit these acts without a reason??

Well, anyway, excellent film! Should be re-played!

[–] 19 years ago

[deleted]

[–] potless 19 years ago

If you want a reason than it should be obvious, haven't you ever done something as a child and upon discovery when asked why said 'I don't know'? It's a great avoidance tactic means you don't have to quantify your actions.

[–] Faithvs30 19 years ago

No doubt that it was a great film, however I was 14 when it came out and my name is Amelia Bennett UUGGHH

[–] hasheart 9 years ago

wow really yikes, at least in the movie, this Amelia was 13, not 14.

[–] annewbie2002 19 years ago

RE:When I first saw this movie years ago, I remember thinking that it was very well done, that the extremely taboo topic of incest was handled so tactfully.

Amen to that. I just wish the writer of Hounddog (which is to star Dakota Fanning) would have used the same method of telling her story.

This movie is proof that a story about childhood sexual abuse/incest can be told from the child's viewpoint in a NON-exploitative way. Roxana Zal's performance as 'Amelia' was just as poignant withOUT having to see her 'suffering' onscreen. I mean, why does Hollywood seem to find showing a kid being brutalized in this fashion so necessary these days? I'm afraid that films like Hounddog will eventually be found more and more acceptable to the point where audiences will be desensitized to children being 'raped' onscreen. Look at all the violence in movies that has had the same effect. Instead of being shocked, people want more. The sexual abuse of a child is a CRIME, & the more graphic depictions that are shown may cause a reverse effect. Instead feeling disgusted & appalled, people may not care anymore.

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[–] huh_oh_i_c 17 years ago

All these self appointed critics of Hounddog .... without EVER having seen it.
Just some holier than thou kkkristian right reporters fuming at the lips about it.

Especially when they come to an honest film like this one, WITHOUT all this neocon self-righteous blabber about Hollywood, it's REALLY sad.

Go to some Jane Seymour movie-of-the-week (Movie-FoR-the-wEAk?) to spew your uninformed views.

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[–] annewbie2002 14 years ago

All these self appointed critics of Hounddog .... without EVER having seen it.
Just some holier than thou kkkristian right reporters fuming at the lips about it.

Especially when they come to an honest film like this one, WITHOUT all this neocon self-righteous blabber about Hollywood, it's REALLY sad.

Go to some Jane Seymour movie-of-the-week (Movie-FoR-the-wEAk?) to spew your uninformed views.

Hah,I just came back & looked at this thread because I just found this movie on an old videotape a few days ago.

"huhoic" you sir/madam are a moron.(add le-douchebag to that--your screename fits you perfectly).Just shaddap & get over your self. I DID see "Hounddog",read the sad sack of an excuse for a script, and was PLENTY informed. There was NOTHING "honest" (hah) about Hound-dud. It was the most unnecessarily exploitive movie I've seen in a long time. Deborah Pimpmeier did everything in her power to exploit Dakota Fanning's talent, & her getting raked over the coals was well deserved.

I read the SCRIPT before the movie was released, & there was absolutely NOTHING of value that would represent child abuse prevention. An upskirt shot of an eight-year-old girl? What in the name of all that's reasonable did that have to do with LLEWELYN'S abuse/rape? Not a thing. A scene where a nine-year-old is looking at herself in a mirror nude. That added nothing to the story at all.

I'm not saying that it's wrong to make a film about rape/child abuse,etc. (Never said that, but somehow, in your foolish rant, you implied it.) Let me tell you in a nutshell I probably know more about being an abused kid than you EVER will, so listen up: What I had a problem with was the APPROACH Kampmeier used. It was all about "shock tactics" with NO substance (why was it absolutely necessary to show Dakota thrashing about on a bed, with some pervert leering? No purpose at all.)

I stand by my opinion that Amelia is a superior film because it lacked the tacky "Oh see how controversial we can be" tag. It gave an honest portrayal of what a victim of child abuse goes through:guilt,lonliness,fear,betrayal. All withOUT resorting to vulgarity. Neither Roxana nor Missy(Francis) were exploited in ANY way, yet the message of the terrible effects of child abuse on children,whether a victim or sibling thereof, rang clear. The performances of the these two girls were heartbreakingly brilliant, and they didn't have to resort to doing anything sordid.

Hounddog just threw in a rape for shock value. The *incident* is barely even mentioned after the fact. Even movie critics said that. Furthermore the director,Deborah Kampmeier was caught in many a lie when trying to explain her TRUE motive for making the film & it's TRUE *message*.

My opinion has/had NOTHING to do with religion,"self-righteousness",yadda yadda, & I don't even watch what you're referring to, so get over that opine. Get your facts straight before flinging unfounded accusations. Hah, seems as if YOU have been watching plenty of Seymour's movies,in order for you to even bring that weak sauce *argument* up..

Hounddog as a film in GENERAL,just plain SUCKED,IMO. Badly edited,over-the-top ridiculous stereotyped charicatures/performances that added nothing poignant. Horrible,laughable dialogue. It did absolutely NOTHING to contribute to the cause of child abuse prevention. Compared to that slop Amelia is a freaking Masterpiece. It garnered many great reviews. Roxana won an EMMY for Pete's sake. Hounddog got basically nothing. You do the math. People are STILL talking about how effective Amelia was, even after 25+ years. I don't expect the same for Hounddog.

I see from your nasty attitude that you have something against (*gasp*) MORALS. Well honey bunny, when it comes to young children those should ALWAYS come first,screw what the pervs & Hollywood Prima Donnas like Kampmeier think. Hounddog bombed & I'm glad. "Amelia" is a beautifully directed & written tragic story about the evils that men do, but it presents the subject matter the in an HONORABLE,TACTFUL way. You can agree to disagree if you like. I could care less. I'd rather stand up for children than find excuses for them to be exploited.

PS: You can KKKiss my BLACK backside. Fool.

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[–] suntya11 16 years ago

I think it depends on the storyline. I believe you can convey the child is being raped without showing but in some instances say with an older child, it may be necessary to show it. I don't know.

[–] MalContentUSA 15 years ago

Since this was a network project, there may well have been limits on just how explicit the film could be in showing the abuse. In a way, it was equally if not more powerful to leave specifics to the viewer's imagination.

[–] MuchToBeGratefulFor 17 years ago

And I remember thinking that it was chilling to think that a family that looked so "everyday" was hiding such secrets!!

My recollection was that it was an inspired choice to cast Ted Danson as the incestuous father, because at the time he starred in "Cheers", the top-rated TV show. He and his character were very popular, so it really brought home that someone you like and seems nice can be doing terrible things in secret.

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[–] m-bachand 17 years ago

I liked the fact that Danson's next big role was as a child psychologist http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092203/ fighting to save kids from a child molestation ring.

One thing you should remember is that at the time this movie(Amelia) was made child molestation was the big news of the day. The McMartin pre-school casehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/McMartin_preschool_trial was on the news all the time and this movie fed the hysteria. Hysteria that continues to this day.

[–] jefgg 11 years ago

Whatever happened to Roxana Zal?

[–] fiatlux-1 10 years ago

I don't get how did Amelia not get pregnant?? She was 13 here, wasn't she?

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