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“Tropic Thunder” Accused of “Hate Speech”
8-Aug-2008
Written by: Dean Stattmann
Tropic Thunder is in negotiations following complaints from disability-advocacy groups.
Disability-advocacy groups have voiced complaints about the language used in Ben Stiller’s hit summer comedy, Tropic Thunder, reported the New York Times.
“We think that’s hate speech,” said Peter V. Berns, executive director of the Arc of the United States. Berns was of course making a reference to the film’s portrayal of Simple Jack, a developmentally handicapped character, played by director Ben Stiller. More specifically, the groups were unhappy with the film’s repeated use of the word “retard,” which can even be seen in its promotional materials.
A meeting between Berns and executives from Paramount and DreamWorks was held on Wednesday to address the groups’ concerns.
According to the New York Times, the result is that Paramount and DreamWorks have agreed to screen the movie for members of various disability-advocacy groups across America. In addition to this, the executives have even offered to revise elements of the film’s advertising, especially references to Simple Jack.
After Wednesday’s meeting, Berns said that DreamWorks had agreed to open a dialogue with the groups, including the Arc of the United States and the Special Olympics, to discuss these issues post-screening, reported the New York Times. “It was a very productive meeting,” said Chip Sullivan, a DreamWorks spokesman.
Dates for the screenings will be set in the next two days. For everyone else, Tropic Thunder is scheduled to hit cinemas Wednesday.
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