November and December looks like it could be one of the most controversial end to a movie year ever with the release of several novel adaptations, some which whipped up a storm when hey were released in their original form, which will lead to critics and film fans all jumping on the debating bandwagon. The three releases in question are Ben Affleck’s Gone Baby Gone, Brick Lane by Monica Ali and The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini.Firstly is the questionable shelving of actor Ben Affleck’s directorial debut Gone Baby Gone, an adaptation of Dennis Lehane’s 1998 novel, and emotional tale about the search for a missing four ear old girl that is conducted in the media spotlight.Distributors of the film quickly highlighted the similarities to the Madeleine McCann case, the actress who plays the missing girl is called Madeline and bears a striking resemblance to the missing child, which led to the London Film Festival pulling it from its line-up and the UK indefinitely suspending it’s release.But just how long will it be until a UK audience can experience, what is being called, a gem of a movie that is already creating an Oscar buzz.This case is already six months old what if she is still missing in another six months? What if she is never found? When will there ever be a good time to distribute this film?
Art imitates life all the time and concerns surrounding projects about Princess Diana are regularly raise plus there was an outcry that those how died in 9/11 were once again being used for commercial profit prior to the release of United 93 yet these projects went ahead.
While we can all appreciate that the disappearance of Madeline McCann is very serious surely this case cannot be allowed to dictate issues that are no way linked to it.
The Kite Runner, an adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's 2003 novel, is also experiencing some release issues.
The story is told from the perspective of a young boy, Amir, who lives through the Soviet invasion and the rise of the Taleban.
But the film has been halted due to controversy in Afghanistan, where most of the film is set, and among Afghan diaspora communities.
The novel includes a harrowing scene were Amir witnesses his best friend Hassan being sexually assaulted.
Instead of going to help his friend he runs away it is the defining moment in the novel and alters their friendship forever.
There are fears for the young boys safety and they may be targeted over this homosexual rape scene.
According to some reports claim that the actors and their families were not aware that the rape scene was part of the film and when they learned of the scene Ahmad Jaan, father of Ahmad Khan who plays Hassan wanted his son removed from the project.
But he was told that the scene would not be filmed. But the filming went ahead but no nudity is involved.
Director Marc Foster denies the accusation of keeping the scene a secret claiming that he rehearsed it twice with the boys and the fathers were present at one of those rehearsals.
However many other cast members are joining Ahmad Jaan and calling for this scene to be removed from the film, despite its sensitive handling.
But this scene cannot be removed from the film it's the scene and a decision from Amir, which comes early in the book, that effects the rest of their lives it is the pivotal event in the book.
The book handles this moment well concentrating on Amir's reaction to what he sees as opposed to a graphic description of what is happening to his friend the rest is left to the imagination which is a far more powerful tool.
The film release has been moved back six weeks and this decision has been backed by the author Khaled Hosseini. The young actors will be removed from Kabul and be protected in America.
The Kite Runner will now be released on December 14th.
Finally Brick Lane, the novel by Monica Ali, which whipped up a whirlwind of frenzy when it was released as a novel has been given the big screen treatment.
The film tells of a Bangladeshi woman who comes to London after an arranged marriage to an older man. However the novel brought criticism from the Brick Lane community claiming that the books views were offensive and that they had been humiliated.
The film was due to shoot around the Brick Lane area of London but cancelled following strong opposition from the Bangladeshi community who reside there.
There were threats of large demonstrations, book burnings and acts of violence but none of these threats ever materialised.
However director Sarah Gavron was quick to dismiss any trouble with the Brick Lane community claiming that nearly 1000 locals queued in the hope of being cast as an extra in the film.
The royal family backed away from the debate when they Prince Charles pulled out of the royal gala event on October 29th were the film was going to be screened due to security fears that the Prince and his wife Camilla would be targeted
But the film was premiered at the London Film Festival and was honoured at the Dinard Film Festival which was held in northern France. It was praised at the festival winning the most popular film by audiences as well as a prize for the screenplay. Brick Lane will go on general release on 16th November.
Helen Earnshaw